Court upholds sentence in molestation, attempted murder case

AMMAN — The Court of Cassation has upheld an October Criminal Court ruling sentencing an Egyptian guard to between five and 20 years in prison after convicting him of the attempted murder and molestation of his former employer in Amman in October 2017.

The court declared the defendant guilty of attempting to murder and sexually assaulting his former employer on October 22, in the Marj Al Hamam area, and handed him the maximum sentence “because of the severity of his crimes”.

Court papers said the defendant used to work for the victim for two years but then left and worked in a nearby house, while still occasionally helping the victim in return for cash.

On the day of the murder, the court maintained, the victim asked the defendant “to help her water her garden”.

“The defendant decided to rob the woman, so he brought a cloth filled with a poisonous substance and stuffed it in her mouth to kill her,” court papers said.

The defendant then proceeded to rob the woman “thinking she was dead by taking her jewellery and other valuable belongings”.

“The defendant also undressed the woman and molested her and then left the house,” court documents added.

Three hours later, the court maintained, the victim regained consciousness and contacted the police.

The higher court ruled that the Criminal Court followed the proper procedures when sentencing the defendant and he deserved the verdict he received. 

The Court of Cassation judges were Mohammad Ibrahim, Naji Zu’bi, Majid Azab, Yassin Abdullat and Hamad Ghzawi.