Drunk flyer assaults policeman

Suspect tells court he was too drunk to recall what happened at Dubai airport

Legal and Court Correspondent

Apassenger has been accused of assaulting a policeman and flashing his middle finger to an airline staff over check-in delay.

The 37-year-old British passenger who was due to fly to Birmingham from Dubai, arrived at the gate to finalise check-in procedures to board the Emirates flight in July. The passenger gave his passport to the ground staff but was asked to wait, according to records. The Briton returned shortly after but started behaving rowdily. He launched a series of curses at the Indian ground staff.

The passenger also flashed his middle finger and threatened to have him fired from his job saying he is a British citizen and has influence. He then filmed the staffer with his mobile phone without the Indian’s consent.

When a policeman was called to the gate, the British man cursed the cop too and pushed him. He also threatened to have the policeman dismissed from service.

The Briton was taken into immediate custody. “I was too drunk at the time. I do not really recall what happened,” said the British suspect as he entered a not guilty plea before the Dubai Court of First Instance on Monday.

The suspect repeatedly told presiding judge Habib Awad that he was too drunk and could not remember what happened during the July 14 incident.

“He cursed me and my family. He spoke very badly about my mother and flashed his middle finger,” testified the Indian.

The policeman told prosecutors that when he was summoned to the gate, the suspect cursed and assaulted him. “The suspect got angry because he was asked to wait. Once I introduced myself as a policeman, he cursed and threatened me saying, ‘I am British and I will cause you trouble and smash your face’,” he testified.

A ruling

October 11. will be heard on