Dubai: A driver has been accused of causing his elderly colleague to suffer a fatal heart attack after they quarrelled because the glare from the driver’s mobile phone had prevented him from sleeping.

The elderly Pakistani man was said to have gone to bed early and asked his 44-year-old compatriot, N.M., to switch off the light in the room they shared in their company accommodation.

The driver switched off the light and got into bed, according to prosecution records, but continued to use his mobile phone.

The victim was said to have got angry and asked N.M. to turn the phone off as its glare was preventing him from sleeping.

Records said the pair got into a heated argument that developed into a fight — which ended with the victim suffering a heart attack that led to his death.

Prosecutors accused the suspect of assaulting, H.K., causing his death.

“I’m not guilty. I didn’t cause his death … I’ve been detained for a year,” said N.M. before the Dubai Court of First Instance on Monday.

Prosecutors said the defendant assaulted the victim without intending to kill him.

A police lieutenant testified to prosecutors that the victim was already dead when they arrived at the scene in Al Qouz in September 2013.

‘Holding his chest’

“A Pakistani witness had reported the incident. Once we arrived there he told me that when he went into the room to sleep, the lights were off and he heard the victim breathing heavily. He claimed that when he switched on the light, he saw H.K. breathing with difficulty and holding his chest. He alleged to me that when he asked the defendant what had happened, N.M. claimed he had a heated argument and fought with the deceased. When I questioned the defendant, he explained that he was using his mobile phone when the victim asked him to turn the light off because he wanted to sleep.

“The driver said he switched off the light and continued using his phone, when the victim asked him to stop using his phone as well because the light was disturbing him N.M. claimed that the victim got out bed and assaulted him … he alleged that at first he did not fight back because of his age. When the deceased continued beating him, according to N.M.’s statement, the latter removed the victim’s arms from his neck and pushed him towards the bed,” the lieutenant told prosecutors.

Medical reports said the victim suffered a heart attack due to the emotional pressure and physical exhaustion during the fight.

A ruling will be heard on May 12.