A man has appealed an order to imprison him for six months for an assault on two Dubai police officers while being drunk.
The incident happened on February 15, at about 11:30 pm on a road in Jumeirah Beach residence and the officers patrolling the area told the Dubai Criminal Court that a New Zealander, 48, assaulted them after they stopped him to ask why he was not wearing a mask.
An officer said he shoved his colleague, who fell on the ground, then he sat on his chest and as he tried to handcuff him he grabbed him.
RELATED STORY: Three jailed in Dubai for duping people as policemen
The man was overpowered by the officers and taken into custody. However, in his defense before the court, the accused said that he respected the police and denied charges against him.
He has now moved to an appeals court seeking acquittal. His lawyer, Awatif Mohammed of Al Rowaad, said there were “clear discrepancies in the statements of both officers” which were overlooked by the lower court in the absence of a lawyer to defend his client.
The judges were told that in the police report, the officers said the man tried to assault them but was not able to because they could control him using zip ties.
READ ON: Dubai visitor gets 10 years in jail for smuggling marijuana hidden in cheese powder bag
However, during prosecution investigations, they said he actually assaulted them and gave details they didn’t mention before and said they used handcuffs, not zip ties.
The court was also informed that they stopped the man to question him about his drinking and not to ask why he was not wearing a mask. (AW)
