Dubai man bit grocer's finger over payment row, hears court

Prosecutors told the Criminal Court that a Bangladeshi man began to argue with the grocer's brother while shopping at Al Aweer Fruits and Vegetables Market in April.

DUBAI // A man bit off the tip of a grocer’s finger in a row over payment, a court heard yesterday.

Prosecutors told the Criminal Court that the Bangladeshi M?A, 30, began to argue with the grocer’s brother while shopping at Al Aweer Fruits and Vegetables Market on April 21 this year.

“My brother asked him to pay the cost of some grocery he had purchased from him earlier, but the man did not want to pay and told my brother he would slap him with his shoe,” said the grocer, 28.

The grocer then intervened and pushed the man away from his brother.

About 15 minutes later a second Bangladeshi, D?A?K, 45, arrived. The first Bangladeshi then grabbed the grocer and held him while the second one bit his middle finger so hard that he ripped the tip off.

The grocer fell to the ground and was helped by passing police officers.

Medics were unable to reattach the fingertip as the injury was too severe – part of the bone had been taken off by the bite.
Prosecutors said that the second Bangladeshi confessed to biting the grocer during interrogation.

But in court, both Bangladeshis denied assault charges.

The next hearing was scheduled for December 13.