Wife hit for insulting her maid

A man assaulted his wife after she insulted the maid, hears court.

DUBAI // A man threw a safe at his wife and tried to strangle her because she insulted the maid, a court heard.

Prosecutors told the Misdemeanours Court that the wife, AK, 30, reported her husband on August 11, claiming that in addition to throwing the safe - made of iron - he also slapped her in the face before beating her all over and trying to strangle her.

The wife had been arguing with the maid at about 7.30pm at the couple's villa in Al Barsha when the husband intervened. The wife then shouted at him and he became angry.

"The maid has more honour than you and your family," he told his wife.

The husband, AS, a 32-year-old Emirati businessman, admitted slapping his wife, saying that he did so in the presence of his 14-year-old son from a previous marriage.

He also admitted saying the maid had more honour than his wife of six years, but denied a charge of insulting his spouse with inappropriate language.

A medical report from Rashid Hospital, where the wife was treated, said she suffered bruises to her face, elbow and arm and well as scratches to her chest.

The case was adjourned to October 16.