Dubai A Dubai court has sentenced a worker to 25 years in jail for premeditated murder of his colleague.

He had said his colleague made sexual advances towards him for three months.

Buried alive

The Dubai Court of First Instance found guilty the 22-year-old Indian worker of premeditated murder of his Pakistani workmate with an iron bar, before burying him in a deserted spot.

The accused claimed the deceased wanted to have sex with him there.

Forensic specialists confirmed that the victim was buried alive after being hit with an iron rod.

Presiding Judge Abdul Majid Al Nezamy, who pronounced Monday's verdict, ordered the accused A.H., to spend the term in prison after which he will be deported.

Following the murder, the accused apparently had a nervous breakdown and told his brother about the incident over the phone.

Repeated attacks

His brother then reported the matter to the police.

"I didn't intend to kill him... I am not guilty. I defended myself when he tried to beat me and have sex with me," said A.H. who denied the charges before the court.

A.H. repeatedly beat M.B. with an iron rod, stifled him with a rope and then buried him in a hole, records said.

A police major testified that A.H.'s brother, M.E., said his sibling had killed someone and buried him in the Al Marmoum area.

"During questioning, ... the worker claimed the victim was persistent, urging him to comply with his homosexual advances, but he refused. Finally he agreed and when they met at a deserted spot, A.H. beat M.B. with a rod, which he hid behind his back. He claimed that later he buried him," he said.