Dubai: A man has been jailed for 5 years for assaulting his friend and being responsible for his death following a sudden heart attack.
The 30-year-old Emirati indulged in a heated argument and then assaulted physically his countryman friend in Al Barsha area in January.
Dubai police’s forensic examination report confirmed that the Emirati deceased succumbed to a fatal cardiac infarction that was triggered by high blood pressure and sudden fear.
On Tuesday, the Dubai Court of First Instance convicted the defendant of assaulting the victim and being liable for his demise although he had pleaded not guilty.
When he entered his plea, the Emirati defendant refuted any intention to cause the victim’s demise.
Presiding judge Mohammad Jamal also referred the civil lawsuit that the victim’s father lodged against the defendant to the Dubai Civil Court.
Defence lawyer Ali Abdullah Al Shamsi argued in court that his client did not cause or was responsible for the victim’s demise.
“My client denied assaulting the victim. He did not touch him or attack him with any weapon. He had a heated argument with the victim and he reproached him … but he didn’t assault him,” contended Al Shamsi.
Assistant Chief Prosecutor Ahmad Abdullah Al Attar asked the court earlier to implement the toughest punishment applicable against the defendant.
Prosecutors said the defendant intentionally assaulted his friend, pushed him on his chest, beat him and yelled at him loudly.
The assault, heated argument and loud voice put the victim under severe mental pressure, shock and distress that led to his death following a sudden heart seizure, according to the accusation sheet.
“My client’s behaviour were not intended to scare or infuriate the victim or inflict on him any mental pressure … he couldn’t assume that his attitude would cause any harm to the deceased. The defendant was not responsible for the cardiac arrest that caused the victim’s death … any person could suffer a cardiac arrest even while sleeping. There was no direct connection between my client’s actions and the victim’s death,” defended Al Shamsi.
According to Tuesday’s ruling, the defendant was also convicted of drinking liquor and driving under the influence of alcohol.
The ruling remains subject to appeal within 15 days.
