Jailed editor’s lawyer moves to call in additional witnesses

Defence counsel pleads for permitting 4 witnesses for defendant in wife’s fatal beating

Legal and Court Correspondent

The lawyer of a British editor, who is currently serving a ten-year prison term over his wife’s death, yesterday sought to present four defence witnesses in court.

In March, the Dubai Court of First Instance jailed the 62-year-old British journalist, Francis Matthew, for ten years after modifying his premeditated murder charge to beating which led to death.

Matthew, a former Gulf News staff member, was found guilty of hitting his 63-year-old wife with a hammer twice in the forehead following a heated argument over financial issues at the British couple’s villa in Umm Suqeim in July 2017.

Yesterday, Matthew’s lawyer, Ali Abdullah Al Shamsi, lodged an official request to produce four defence witnesses to testify before the Dubai Appeal Court.

“The defence is facing an appeal challenge that was produced by Dubai prosecutors, who are seeking to cancel the primary court’s decision, have the defendant be tried for premeditated murder and stiffen the punishment,” Al Shamsi said.

“Meanwhile, the defence wants to hear two friends of the client, a forensic consultative doctor [from Egypt] and my client’s son when the court reconvenes. As part of our defence strategy, we are seeking to have the convict’s punishment reduced,” lawyer Al Shamsi told presiding judge Eisa Al Sharif.

The defendant’s son was seen seated across the dock as his father was called into courtroom 20 during the appellate court’s second hearing.

The lawyer lodged an official request to produce four defence witnesses to testify before the Dubai Appeal Court. The defendant’s son was seen seated across the dock as his father was called into courtroom 20 during the appellate court’s second hearing.

Not guilty plea

During a previous hearing, when presiding judge Al Sharif read out the charge of beating leading to death against the accused, Matthew had pleaded “not guilty”.

Bur Dubai Prosecution had charged the defendant of premeditatedly murdering his wife.

Matthew had pleaded not guilty and denied having had a premeditated intent to kill the victim when he defended himself before the primary court.

Matthew appealed his tenyear prison sentence, seeking to have his punishment reduced. Prosecutors also went in appeal seeking a stiffer sentence.

The Court of First Instance’s bench of judges altered the premeditated murder charge to beating which led to death without having intent to kill. The court was convinced that the July 4 incident was a crime of “assault which led to death” and that Matthew did not have a premeditated intention to kill the victim.

Sustained provocation

Al Shamsi argued before the primary court that the accused was gripped by a sudden fit of “intense outrage” that was triggered by relentless provocation from the victim which resulted in his violent act.

“The accusation sheet lacked any form of evidence, testimony or proof that the accused had a premeditated intention to kill his wife. He was under severe provocation and the assault happened in very few minutes. Her behaviour sent him into a state of distress and anger. He lost control over himself, his actions and couldn’t realise the consequences of what he did,” the lawyer argued in court.

Presiding judge Al Sharif adjourned the case until September 9.