Man left with second-degree burns 'after gang pours boiling water on him', Dubai court hears

Victim taken to an apartment in Al Barsha area by a woman he met on a dating app

A Dubai court has granted a retrial to an Emirati man who was convicted of causing his friend’s death in a Shisha fire. AFP

A man suffered second-degree burns after four Nigerian men allegedly poured boiling water on him, the Dubai Criminal Court heard.

The judges were told the man, 37, from Saudi Arabia, was taken to an apartment in Al Barsha area by a woman he met on a dating app.

"She invited me to her place on June 18 last year," the man said.

Four Nigerian men were waiting in the apartment and beat him up, the court heard.

“I tried to defend myself and escape but could not,” he told the court.

Four or five women also joined the group. They poured boiling water on him, tied him to a bed and took away his ATM card, the court heard.

"They continued to torture me, hitting me on the eyes and ears, and poured boiling water on my private parts," the man said.

One of the accused is alleged to have made a video of the torture.

The man fainted but found his phone left next to him when he regained consciousness.

“They placed my mobile phone next to me and then escaped. I gathered my strength and went down the building,” he said.

He asked people for help and they called the police. An ambulance took the man to a hospital.

Medical reports said he had suffered second-degree burns and was left with a 10 per cent permanent disability.

Four Nigerian men, aged between 24 and 35, were arrested in connection with the attack.

The accused are alleged to have withdrawn Dh2,400 from the man’s bank account.

They were charged with confinement, theft and physical assault.

The next hearing is on March 23.