Man who hit partygoer on head with fire extinguisher jailed

Briton sentenced to three years in prison for assault on Emirati.

DUBAI // A Briton who hit an Emirati on the head with a fire extinguisher, causing severe skull fractures, will serve three years in jail.

“It was because he assaulted me,” said the 45-year-old British national at Dubai Criminal Court on Thursday.

On February 14 last year, the 30-year-old Emirati was invited to a friend’s birthday party at a hotel suite in Bur Dubai.

“I asked the birthday man if I could bring a friend with me and he said yes, so I headed to the hotel and knocked on the door,” he said.

The Briton opened the door and asked the Emirati about the identity of the man in his company.

“I told him he was a friend and that I asked first before bringing him with me but he said I had to pay to get him in, so I threw my wallet in his face,” the Emirati said.

The Briton then shut the door but returned moments later carrying a fire extinguisher. He hit the Emirati on the head with it, after which the Emirati fell unconscious and was taken to hospital to undergo a life-saving operation as the blow fractured his skull.

A report said that the man now suffers from epileptic, aggressive and nervous seizures, which was considered an 80 per cent disability.

An Emirati policeman testified that he was the friend taken along to the party.

“I wanted to leave but then the door opened again and the defendant suddenly hit my friend on the head with a fire extinguisher,” said the 30-year-old corporal.

The Briton was charged with physical assault that caused a permanent disability and with consuming alcohol without a licence, both of which he admitted to.

In court on Thursday, the Briton was sentenced to three years in jail, to be followed by deportation.

He was also fined Dh1,000 and ordered to pay Dh21,000 in compensation to the victim.