Duo assaults snoozing man over selfie

TECHNICIAN SCUFFLED WITH COUPLE OVER PHOTO TAKEN AS HE WAS DOZING OFF

Acouple has been accused of assaulting and injuring a technician after the woman posed for a selfie beside him while he snoozed on sofa in a building’s lobby.

The 54-year-old Swedish technician was said to be fatigued when he sat on a sofa and napped in the lobby of a tower in May 2016, while waiting for his wife who was in the washroom.

While snoozing, the Swedish man suddenly felt as if someone had slapped him and when he opened his eyes, according to records, he saw a group of British persons laughing at him and walking out of the lobby.

The 54-year-old followed the persons outside the building and asked them to stop because he wanted to call the police.

It is believed the Swede engaged in a heated argument with the British group of friends, before he was assaulted and thrown down to the floor.

Among the group were some women who also allegedly assaulted the technician and scratched his face with their nails, records said.

The 54-year-old reported the matter to the police and primary interrogations revealed the involvement of a 21-year-old British woman and her 26-year-old countryman in the assault.

Permanent disability

Prosecutors accused the 21-year-old woman and the 26-year-old man of assaulting the Swedish and causing one per cent permanent disability in his nose.

According to the accusation sheet, prosecutors said the British accused and two other unidentified suspects assaulted the technician who sustained bruises and nailscratches, aside from a fractured nose.

The British couple failed to appear before the Dubai Court of First Instance where they were scheduled to enter their plea yesterday.

Presiding judge Urfan Omar adjourned the trial until the suspects are legally notified about the next hearing on July 19. The technician told prosecutors the incident happened after he slept on a sofa while waiting for his wife.

A witness told prosecutors that he spotted the 21-yearold seated beside the sleeping technician and her friends were taking photos of her.