The trial of Gulf News editor-at-large Francis Mathew, who is accused of murdering his wife, will begin on September 27. The public prosecution referred 60-year-old Matthew, a Briton, to the Dubai Court of First Instance on the charge of murdering his wife, 62, at their house in Jumeirah.

The editor-at-large of Gulf News first reported the incident as an assault by thieves who broke into his house. He is believed to have tampered with evidence to cover up his crime. However, a hammer at the crime scene led the forensics team to dig further into what really happened on the night of July 3.

During interrogation, the accused reportedly admitted to the police that he struck the victim with the hammer following a heated argument.

To the public prosecution, the journalist admitted he had a fight with his wife, after which he unintentionally killed her with a hammer.

Matthew said after the argument, his wife refused to talk to him and went to their bedroom. There, he allegedly struck her twice on the head with the hammer.

He confessed to the prosecutors that he tampered with the crime scene by removing a safe and turning his place into a mess to make it look like a robbery.

The couple had been married for 32 years and they have one son.

Source: Khaleej Times