Man jailed for 10 years for drunken murder of friend

A man was sentenced to 10 years for murdering his drinking partner following an argument.

DUBAI // An Indian labourer who beat his friend to death after a night of heavy drinking was jailed for 10 years yesterday.

GN, 40, was found guilty of the premeditated murder of DG on February 25 last year at a sports hall in Al Quoz industrial area.

The victim was attacked by his drinking partner after he fell asleep. GN then dropped a slab of concrete on his head.

The victim was not instantly killed, but woke up and conversed with his assailant, then walked to a petrol station before he collapsed and died.

Police said they responded to a murder report in Al Quoz on February 26.

Witnesses in the area claimed that the victim drank regularly at the sports hall with GN.

GN was apprehended by police the next day. HA, a first lieutenant with the Bur Dubai police station, said GN confessed to the crime and stated that he and the victim engaged in an argument while consuming alcohol at the sports hall.

"He said that after the victim beat him and abused him verbally, he lied down for a nap. Then he [GN] picked up a concrete slab and smashed it onto his head and face," the officer said.

The defendant said the victim woke up, and he then washed his hands with water and gave the water for the victim to wash his face.

"He claimed to have walked with the victim to a gas station, where the victim collapsed and died," the officer added.

The Dubai Criminal Court of First Instance ordered GN's deportation after he serves his prison term.