UAE | Crime
Dallas Austin pleads guilty
American music producer Dallas Austin pleaded guilty to possessing cocaine before a Dubai court judge who rejected his lawyer's appeal to hold the hearing behind closed doors yesterday.
- By Bassam Za'za', Staff Reporter
- Published: 00:00 July 2, 2006
Dubai: American music producer Dallas Austin pleaded guilty to possessing cocaine before a Dubai court judge who rejected his lawyer's appeal to hold the hearing behind closed doors on Sunday.
The 34-year-old suspect pleaded guilty to possessing 1.26 grams of cocaine and five-and-a-half capsules of cocaine and an MDM drug before the Dubai Court of First Instance.
He told presiding judge Mahmoud Al Sharshabi that he knows that possessing or using cocaine is forbidden but he "did not intend to use it in the UAE" and that he brought it into the country by mistake.
Austin walked into the courtroom from a side door linked to an underground cell from where jail guards bring in detainees and defendants to attend the hearings.
He was wearing a white short-sleeved jersey, blue jeans, sneakers and a shining earring in his left ear.
Prior to the hearing, Austin hugged and kissed a female who was said to be his business manager. Besides Al Rida, and Austin's Bahraini lawyer Qays Hatem Al Zu'bi, his American lawyers also flew into Dubai especially to attend the hearing.
Related Links
Judge Al Sharshabi adjourned the case a verdict is expected to be issued on July 4.
Dubai Public Prosecution charged Austin with possessing drugs for personal use after his arrest on May 19 at Dubai International Airport when he was coming to attend Naomi Campbell's private birthday party in Dubai.
He has crafted beats for Madonna, Michael Jackson, Brandy, TLC, Aretha Franklin, the Indigo Girls and Boyz II Men, Fishbone and owns Rowdy Records.
More from UAE Crime
More from UAE
Community Reports
-
Mirror, mirror show me the way
Driver on Salam Street had so many boxes and fruits piled into car, he would not be able to view rear or right side mirrors
-
Parents should be more vigilant
Reader's picture highlights risk of negligence by caretakers
-
Warming up to ‘Mobilise the Earth' theme
Dubai school dedicates a whole week to celebrating Earth Day with can-collection drives, sapling plantation and painting competition among others
-
Drivers using mobiles put others' lives at risk
Speeding is dangerous for the driver and other motorists
Latest news
- Youngsters dance and raise cash for charity
- Dubai departments upgrade services
- Get yourself a free test for diabetes
- Ensuring a safety net for intellectual property
- Reader's issue addressed
- 5,552 illegals held in Dubai this year
- Man cleared because he took drugs in France
- Man charged with trafficking women
- Auditors to probe Mizin graft case
- Transfusion centre launches new toll free number
- Mirror, mirror show me the way
- Last minute ID rush is on
- No sweat! Book taxi while on Metro
- Secret source scheme reaps rewards
- Breaking down cultural barriers with photographs
