Journalist denies kicking and cursing security man

Dubai: A British journalist admitted in court yesterday that he consumed liquor but denied kicking and cursing an Egyptian security supervisor in one of Dubai's elite gated communities.

Prosecutors have charged the 34-year-old British journalist with assaulting the 26-year-old Egyptian supervisor and cursing him while he was under the influence of alcohol.

When the suspect appeared before the Dubai Misdemeanour Court yesterday, he told Presiding Judge Mansour Al Awadhi in courtroom five: "I did not beat him but we had an argument."

He also denied the charge of kicking the claimant's vehicle, alleging that he just tapped it with his leg without damaging it. He, however, admitted before the judge to consuming alcohol.

Written waiver

Meanwhile, his lawyer presented a written waiver which was obtained from the claimant who dropped the case against the journalist. According to records, the incident allegedly happened in Dubai Investment Park. A policeman claimed that the security supervisor told the police that the defendant cursed him and assaulted him when he tried to take him out of a villa.

The claimant testified that when he spotted the Briton running in the street he stopped him and asked him for identification.

He said the defendant cursed him when he asked where he was going. He added that the defendant later kicked him in the belly and kicked his car.

The court reconvenes on Monday.