DUBAI// The primary suspect in Kerry Winter's disappearance and presumed death, will appear before a Dubai court on charges of issuing verbal threats and placing people's lives in danger. MA, 42, a businessman from Stoke-on-Trent, England, is accused of issuing verbal threats to a witnesses who allegedly saw him beat Ms Winter with a baseball bat outside her villa in Barsha. MA, who is being held on preliminary charges of assault and kidnapping in relation to the disappearance of Ms Winter, will appear before the Dubai Misdemeanours Court on Tuesday. A police source earlier said witnesses to the attack tried to help, but the suspect, Ms Winter's former boyfriend, attacked them and scared them away. MA then put Ms Winter in her car and drove off, witnesses told police. They said he did not use his car because he could not find his car keys. The police were called but when they arrived Ms Winter and MA were gone. Traces of blood were found on the ground where witnesses said Ms Winter fell. Senior prosecutor Ahmad Eisa al Adhab, said today he is waiting for forensics reports to arrive from CID before filing formal charges in Ms Winter's disappearance. He said charges will be filed only when the investigation is complete, adding he will interview more witnesses and may interview MA again. The forensic reports include DNA tests on blood samples taken from the scene of the attack as well as physical evidence gathered from Ms Winter's vehicle, MA's residence and a boat which was impounded. hbathish@thenational.ae
