Woman spared jail over Tubli car theft, sent to psychiatric facility

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune - www.newsofbahrain.com

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A woman who stole a car outside a supermarket in Tubli has been spared jail after the Appeals Court found her mentally unfit during the incident.

The case began when the car’s owner left his vehicle running while quickly entering a supermarket, expecting to return shortly.

However, a woman, seizing the opportunity, jumped into the driver’s seat.

Despite the owner's attempts to stop her, she drove off, leaving him with minor injuries.

The stolen vehicle was later found in Hamad Town. The woman was initially charged with car theft, and the lower court sentenced her to one year in jail.

However, her lawyer, Huda Al Aswad, appealed the verdict, presenting evidence of the woman’s mental instability at the time of the crime.

The court ordered a psychiatric evaluation, the results of which confirmed her condition.

In light of the findings, the Appeals Court cancelled her jail term and ordered her placement in a therapeutic facility at a psychiatric hospital until a judge determines she is fit to be released.

According to case files, the theft occurred in May 2024, and the car belonged to a financing company.

Lawyer Al Aswad successfully argued for a psychiatric evaluation, citing her client’s medical history and inability to be held responsible for her actions.

The Appeals Court cited legal precedents allowing the defendant to be exempt from criminal responsibility based on her mental state.

Consequently, under Articles 31 and 87 of the Penal Code, the court ruled in favor of her acquittal.