Car mechanic escapes knife-wielding client, jumps from balcony; Court awards 3 years

TDT | Manama     

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Never even in his wildest dream, this car mechanic thought that his deal with the next client would escalate to such a terrifying extent, culminating in him having to leap from his balcony to save his life.

This chilling incident made headlines in the Kingdom, with the High Criminal Court sentencing the 34-year-old perpetrator—the car owner—to three years in jail.

Incidents leading to the crime began when the suspect scheduling an appointment with the mechanic to have his car repaired at the mechanic’s garage.

After the repairs were completed as agreed upon, the mechanic notified the client. Subsequently, the client requested that the vehicle be delivered to his apartment, to which the mechanic consented. However, upon arrival, the situation took a dark turn.

According to the mechanic’s account to the police, the suspect refused to settle him and instead drove him first to purchase items and then to his apartment. Once there, the mechanic recounted to the authorities, the suspect brandished a knife and coerced him into the apartment, falsely accusing him of theft from the car.

The suspect further threatened to harm him unless the mechanic surrendered his mobile phone.

“Fearing for my life, I did what he asked for,” the mechanic told police, recalling the harrowing incident. “After some time, I could hear him leaving, apparently to meet his friend. “It was then I managed to squeeze myself into the balcony and jumped off. “I was severely injured with my head bleeding profusely.

“Fortunately, a husband and wife staying in the nearby apartment came to me hearing my cries and allowed me to seek refuge in their apartment until the police arrived.”

Upon their arrival, the police promptly transported the victim to a hospital and initiated an investigation, leading to the apprehension of the suspect.

The case was subsequently referred to the public prosecution, culminating in the court’s verdict. The court found the man guilty of assault, theft, and illegal confinement, and ordered him to return the mobile phone forcibly taken from the victim.