Dubai: An airport security guard, who stole a ring to present to his girlfriend when he goes on leave, has been referred to the Criminal Court.

The African man, 23, was on duty inside an airplane at the Dubai International Airport under a security services provider when he came across the Dhs380 golden ring on the floor at around 1am on Dec.5, 2017.

He embezzled it with the prospect of presenting it to his girlfriend in his home country according to his confession in airport security records, prosecutors told the jury. A ruling is expected on Jan.18.

He told the police that he was inspecting the airplane, bound for Florida, when he came across a passenger’s ring in the aisle. Instead of handing it over to the lost and found section he decided to take it home.

He told prosecutors that he had been tasked with inspecting the plane for hazardous, metallic and suspicious materials or items banned in the USA, before passengers are allowed to board.

When he came across the ring, he hid it in his trousers’ pocket with the plan to present it to his girlfriend when he returns to his home country.

He devised plans to take it out without being detected. At around 11am he placed the ring in his wallet and placed the wallet in a box thinking the baggage scanning device would not detect it.

He walked to the inspection point allocated for airport employees and placed the box in the scanning device. The device frustrated his bid.