Visitor pays high price for passion in taxi

A drunk European visitor who was seen hugging and kissing a woman in a taxi was fined Dh12,000 yesterday.

The Italian visitor, identified as R., was charged with drinking alcohol and lewd behaviour in public.

His 25-year-old Egyptian companion was fined Dh2,000, also for lewd behaviour in public.

The Dubai Court of First Instance heard a policeman say he saw the couple hugging and kissing in a taxi near Dubai International Airport.

He went over to the taxi and asked the couple to step out of the vehicle.

He then took them to the police station for questioning.

In their statement, the Italian and the Egyptian confessed to hugging and kissing inside the taxi. The Italian also admitted to being drunk.