Dubai|: A police corporal has denied punching a Saudi student in the face with a knuckleduster and injuring him because he was chatting with two girls in a gas station, a court heard yesterday.
Prosecutors accused the 22-year-old Emirati corporal of assaulting the student and permanently damaging part of his face after punching him with a knuckleduster and cursing him.
"I am not guilty. No, I didn't beat him ... but yes, your honour, I cursed him," argued the defendant, M.A. when he appeared before the Dubai Court of First Instance.
According to the arraignment sheet, prosecutors charged M.A. with assaulting and injuring the 24-year-old student, N.D., and cursing and dishonouring him in public.
Medical reports confirmed that the claimant sustained two per cent permanent disability in his nose and the bones of his face.
N.D., who was present in courtroom four, approached Presiding Judge Hamad Abdul Latif Abdul Jawad and requested an adjournment until he lodges a civil compensation claim against the suspect.
The student testified that the incident happened in a petrol station store.
"The defendant walked up to me and asked me why I spoke with two girls who were in the store ... but I denied talking to anyone. He insisted that I spoke with the girls, but I denied [it] and tried to avoid him because he was getting angry. "
"Suddenly he shouted ‘I am a policeman, I am boxer and I am an Emirati,' intending to frighten me. Then he cursed me and my country in a loud voice."
"I walked out of the store and my brothers joined me ... [He] drove away and returned after a few minutes. He surprised me and punched me in my face," the victim told prosecutors.
Records said the victim was knocked out and he regained consciousness in hospital.
The plaintiff's younger brother, H.D., confirmed his statement.
The court reconvenes on March 25 for the suspect to hire a defence lawyer.
