Man beats co-worker to death for ranting

Accused was upset over victim talking about his family disputes when consuming alcohol

Aworker has been accused of beating his co-worker to death with a wooden rod while he was inebriated.

The Indian victim and his 30-year-old countryman were said to be drinking liquor when the 26-year-old Indian worker joined them in December.

According to records, the victim started talking about his family disputes, when the 26-year-old asked him to stop discussing the details of his family problems.

The worker told the victim that he and their friend were not interested in listening to his family issues. This incensed the victim who assaulted the 26-year-old with a wooden rod, said records.

The 26-year-old worker snatched the rod away and hit back at the victim, who fell down unconscious.

Police and an ambulance were called to the scene, but the victim died before their arrival in a truck parking area in Jebel Ali Industrial.

Prosecutors accused the 26-year-old of beating the victim and causing his death.

The 30-year-old was charged with failing to report the crime to the police.

The two suspects were charged with drinking liquor.

When the suspects appeared before the Dubai Court of First Instance yesterday, they pleaded not guilty.

According to the charge sheet, prosecutors said the 26-year-old battered the victim on the back of his head and caused his death without intending to do so.

“Yes, I drank alcohol … but I am not responsible for his demise,” the 26-year-old suspect told presiding judge Urfan Omar.

The 30-year-old argued that he was drunk, but denied the charge of having failed to report the crime to the police.

The 26-year-old suspect was cited as admitting to prosecutors that when he refused to listen to the victim discussing his family problems, and that the latter swore at him and assaulted him with the wooden rod.

“We had a heated argument and fought because I had told him that we were not interested in listening to his problems. Then he swore and assaulted me. I hit him back,” he was quoted as telling prosecutors.

The 30-year-old suspect admitted that he tried to help the victim but had run away once he realised his friend had died.