Salesmen deny charges of assault

Dubai: Two salesmen denied in court yesterday the charge of causing permanent disability to a merchant after assaulting him with a concrete block and wooden bar.

Prosecutors accused the Iranian salesmen, 23-year-old H.A. and 22-year-old N.A., of causing 65 per cent permanent disability to their compatriot merchant after assaulting him in his workplace.

N.A. said he was not guilty when he defended himself before the Dubai Court of First Instance.

H.A. pleaded innocent and told Judge Fahmi Mounir: "We did not attack him…"

According to the arraignment sheet, the defendants and a third suspect [who is at large] walked into the merchant's workplace in Al Aweer and attacked him.

The forensic medicine report shows the 38-year-old merchant, S.N., sustained a fractured skull and permanent paralysis in the upper left part of his body.

S.N.'s lawyer lodged a civil claim against the suspects seeking Dh20,000 in temporary compensation for moral, medical and financial damages.

The court reconvenes on November 3 to hear prosecution witnesses and for S.N.'s lawyer to pay the fees of the civil lawsuit.