Rental company asks UK embassy to pay tourist’s Dh175,000 speeding fines
The owner of a car hire company who leased a Lamborghini to a British tourist has pleaded with embassy officials to pay the man’s Dh175,000 in speeding fines. Mohammed Ibrahim, who runs Dubai’s Saeed Ali Rent a Car, said he spoke to British Embassy staff hoping they could bring an end to his legal dispute with Farah Hashi, 25.
Mr Hashi, from Newport in south Wales, was caught driving the canary-yellow supercar at speeds of up to 230kph on July 31. He triggered 33 speed cameras in Dubai in four hours.
“We are a small company and cannot cover this amount,” Mr Ibrahim said.
“I’ve tried calling him but he has not been answering or returning my calls. Surely if he is here as a tourist it is up to his embassy to offer help?”
The Lamborghini Huracan, which can accelerate from 0 to 100kph in 3.4 seconds, is parked outside the Five Hotel on Dubai’s Palm Jumeirah.
Mr Hashi is still believed to be staying at the hotel, but has not been seen since reports of his exploits received international media coverage.
Mr Ibrahim strongly denied suggestions that the Briton had not been warned of the UAE’s speeding laws before hiring the supercar.
He said every day the dispute rumbled on was costing Mr Hashi Dh3,000 in rent and he feared it could continue for months.
“We tell everyone who rents a car from us what the speed limit is,” Mr Ibrahim said.
“To suggest otherwise is definitely not the case. I went to Dubai Traffic Department to try to get some help but I was told to try the courts.
“When I did that I was told that it could be at least six months before the matter is heard in court.”
Mr Ibrahim said he was now prepared to waive a large percentage of Mr Hashi’s rental fees if he agreed to cover the speeding fines.
Under UAE law it is the responsibility of the hire company to pay the fines rather than the driver who rented the vehicle.
“The problem isn’t really the rent,” Mr Ibrahim said. “I can help him there by giving him a big discount on the rent.”
It is understood that Mr Hashi had been due to end his holiday in Dubai last week but has been forced to extend his visit until the dispute is resolved.
Mr Ibrahim is refusing to collect the car until all the fines are paid.
A spokesman for the UK embassy said: “The embassy is aware of the situation and we are offering consular support to a British citizen.”
The embassy is aware of the situation and we are offering consular support to a British citizen SPOKESMAN British Embassy