Briton given jail term after setting off alarm at police station

Man set off fire alarm before trying to escape through emergency exit

A British man who set off a police station's fire alarm system in a fit of rage before trying to escape through an emergency exit has been handed a six-month jail term.

The 29-year-old was being held at Al Qusais Police Station when staff were alerted to screams coming from his cell at 11.30pm on February 6.

He complained of breathing difficulties and was taken out of the cell to be assessed by the medical team.

After it was concluded he was in good health, however, he set off the fire alarm, breaking its glass screen.

He then made a dash for the emergency exit only for a police officer to block his path.

“He was checked by the medical team who said he was fine, but he became angry when we tried to take him back to his cell,” said a Yemeni policeman, 22.

After he was stopped from making his exit, the man entered an office in the station and tried to use a policewoman's mobile phone, smashing the device when he was unable to unlock it.

The raging man then knocked staff to the ground when they tried to subdue him.

He as eventually brought under control and returned to his cell, with two officers receiving bruises and scratches as a result of the encounter.

“He didn’t assault us nor did he try, but he had a strong build and fiercely resisted us, which caused us to fall,” said a 24-year-old officer.

At Dubai Criminal Court last month, he admitted damaging the fire alarm system but denied physical assault, sabotaging a Dubai Police landline phone and damaging an officer's mobile.

He was convicted of all charges and sentenced to six months in prison to be followed by deportation.

He was also ordered to pay Dh1,338 in damages to the police station.