Dubai: A worker, who kicked his workmate on his head and caused his immediate death during a fight after being drunk, was jailed for five years.
The 23-year-old Indian worker, S.S., and his countryman workmate, R.K., were drunk in their labour accommodation in August 2014 when they exchanged foul language which later developed into a fight.
The Dubai Court of First Instance convicted S.S. of assaulting R.K. and kicking him on his head twice thus causing his death.
The accused had pleaded not guilty citing self defence. He contended before the court that he did not intend to kill the victim who had started the fight.
Presiding Judge Mohammad Jamal said the accused will be deported following the completion of his punishment.
An Indian safety and security assistant supervisor (at the accommodation) said when he returned to their room, he saw the accused and the victim drinking alcohol with other men.
“S.S., R.K. and two others were all drunk. The room was very dirty. I asked them to leave so I could tidy it up. The victim had been exchanging bad language with S.S. and the rest. They went out and I cleaned the room and after some time, when they returned to the room they were still cursing each other. S.S. and his friends started pushing R.K. Every time they pushed him, he would curse them back and his head would hit the wall. Then S.S slapped R.K. who fell to the floor. Despite the fact that S.S.’s friends tried to prevent him from assaulting R.K., the defendant [who was barefoot] kicked the victim twice in his face and head resulting in the latter bleeding. I rushed to the security supervisor to inform him what had happened,” he claimed.
Records said the accommodation’s nurse refused to provide the victim with any help considering the seriousness of R.K.’s condition. An ambulance was rushed to the scene before it was discovered that R.K. had succumbed to his injuries.
An Indian security guard testified that S.S. came to him at 7pm and asked him to call the police because R.K. was injured and bleeding.
“When I rushed to the room where the incident occurred, R.K. was bleeding profusely from his mouth. He was motionless, but still breathing. I called the police,” claimed the guard.
A police lieutenant said S.S. claimed during questioning that R.K. slapped him first before he hit him back.
Sunday’s ruling remains subject to appeal within 15 days.