Trial: Duo 'assaulted woman' in Dubai

Dubai: Two men on Monday denied punching and kicking a woman and stealing her purse and cell phone.

The Nigerian suspects, 28-year-old J.P. and 31-year-old Y.S., pleaded not guilty before Presiding Judge Abdul Majid Al Nezamy at the Dubai Court of First Instance.

They were charged with assaulting the 23-year-old Uzbek woman, Z.R., stealing her purse, cell phone and Dh50 and $300 in cash and also overstaying in the country. J.P. was charged with carrying out the assault while his compatriot kept watch.

"The incident happened after I walked back home at around 3am. I was using my cell phone in the entrance of my building in Al Nakheel when one of the suspects walked towards me and punched my hand.

"Then he gave me another blow to my eye and kicked me before he snatched my purse and grabbed my phone and ran off. I was afraid to chase him so I went up to my room and informed my brother," Z.R. testified.

The suspect was arrested in a sting operation.