Dubai: A businessman has been accused of repeatedly punching a taxi driver and stealing his money, a court heard on Tuesday.
The taxi driver was said to driven the 34-year-old Cameroonian businessman to his destination in July. Once they reached the destination the businessman was asked to pay the fare of Dh12. The Cameroonian took out a Dh50 note and handed it to the driver, who took out his wad of cash to give the change to the passenger. The businessman grabbed his money and tried to run away but the driver grabbed and tore the shirt of the businessman, who punched the driver repeatedly on his face until he let him go.
Later the driver gave the ripped off piece of the shirt to the police. A police patrol apprehended the 34-year-old man based on the descriptions given to them by the complainant.
Meanwhile Dubai Police’s forensic examination report confirmed that the DNA lifted from the torn piece of the shirt matched with that of the Cameroonian.
Prosecutors charged the suspect with assaulting the driver and stealing his Dh489.
The suspect dismissed the charges before the Dubai Court of First Instance on Tuesday.
He also submitted a written defence to presiding judge Mohammad Jamal and asked to be acquitted.
A police sergeant claimed to prosecutors that the driver reported the police station that he had been punched and robbed by a passenger.
“The suspect was apprehended shortly after the incident. The driver identified him at the police line-up … his DNA matched with those that were lifted up from the ripped off shirt,” he testified to prosecutors.
A ruling will be heard on February 11.
