Father of 10 arrested for domestic abuse, child neglect and harassment in UAE

Ras Al Khaimah: A father of 10, identified as M.A, has been arrested in connection with multiple charges of assaulting his wife, neglecting his children, and allegedly harassing his daughter.

The case has drawn significant attention due to the disturbing nature of the abuse, which authorities have linked to M.A.’s ongoing struggle with alcohol addiction.

Abuse and alcohol addiction

According to the Ras Al Khaimah Court records, M.A.’s repeated abuse of his wife began during periods of alcohol intoxication. His violent behaviour resulted in the loss of his government job and continued despite this personal and professional setback. The man now faces five charges related to his assaults on his wife, with court rulings having been issued in three of these cases.

The abuse was uncovered after the wife sought medical treatment at Saqr Government Hospital for serious injuries sustained in one such assault. Medical examinations revealed extensive bruising and wounds to her head and face, as well as prior signs of physical trauma, indicating a long history of abuse.

Child neglect

In addition to the violence against his wife, M.A. is also facing serious allegations of neglecting his children. The couple has 10 children, including two sets of twins. Authorities found that the children were malnourished and suffering from physical deterioration due to neglect. The family home lacked essential living conditions, such as electricity, water, and furniture, which were not provided by M.A.

The conditions at the home were described as severe, with the children enduring significant hardships. Further investigation revealed troubling reports from the family maid and M.A.’s 14-year-old daughter. Both individuals have accused M.A. of sexual harassment. The daughter recounted being taken by M.A. to alcohol consumption events with his friends, while one of M.A.’s sons, aged 13, reported that his father had encouraged him to drink alcohol.

Court proceedings

Following his arrest, M.A. was charged with multiple offences, including the assault of his wife and the neglect of his children. The legal process has been propelled forward by the victim’s testimony, corroborated by medical evidence documenting the abuse. Although M.A. denied consuming alcohol during the investigation, substantial evidence has supported the allegations.

In the initial court ruling, M.A. was convicted of assaulting his wife, causing injuries that incapacitated her for at least 20 days. He was sentenced to six months in prison and fined Dh10,000. However, the court has yet to issue a final decision regarding the charges related to child neglect and the allegations of harassment. These aspects of the case remain under judicial review.