UAE | Crime
Man jailed in beating death of special needs roommate
An intoxicated trader has been jailed for beating and kicking his physically challenged roommate, who suffered a sudden cardiac arrest and died.
- By Bassam Za'Za', Senior Reporter
- Published: 23:42 December 23, 2008
Dubai: An intoxicated trader has been jailed for beating and kicking his physically challenged roommate, who suffered a sudden cardiac arrest and died.
The Dubai Court of First Instance sentenced the 47-year-old Egyptian trader to three years in jail after Presiding Judge Saeed Salem Bin Sarm pronounced he was guilty of beating the victim to death.
The accused, M.A., will be deported after serving his punishment.
The initial ruling is still subject to appeal within 15 days.
Reaction
Following the announcement, his wife gasped in disbelief before she was taken out of the court crying.
Nearly five minutes later, her cries could be heard coming from outside courtroom number nine.
The trader earlier pleaded not guilty to beating the victim, S.A., to death before the court. He admitted to a charge of consuming liquor.
A number of people said they had witnessed M.A. attack the man.
The witnesses said the defendant had punched his victim in the face and then repeatedly kicked him in the chest.
Medical reports said that S.A. suffered a heart attack and died following the assault.
The public prosecution charged M.A. with beating his roommate in the face and kicking his chest.
An Egyptian salesman, who shared a room with the accused and the deceased, said the defendant had been drinking alcohol before he attacked his victim.
He said: "The victim was lying on his bed watching TV.
"Meanwhile, M.A. went up to the roof to consume liquor... the trader's loud voice surprised and woke me up around 4am and he [S.A.] was bleeding from his lip.
Cursed
"The defendant sat on the victim's bed and cursed both of us.
"Then he mocked S.A. for being physically challenged before he beat and kicked him.
"Several other men who lived on the same floor intervened and stopped the accused from assaulting the victim... later he kicked him on the chest," the salesman said.
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