A man and his wife tortured and starved his mother for three months until she died in Dubai, the criminal court was told.
The Indian couple lived with the husband’s mother, in her 50s, in their flat in Al Qusais, where they would allegedly beat and burn her.
The couple were reported to police by their neighbour, who found the mother collapsed in the communal laundry room in October.
"I spotted the old woman lying on the floor of the laundry room in our building. She was extremely skinny and in pain and she had burns on both her legs," said their Indian neighbour.
Their neighbour said she asked the mother what happened but the woman panicked and asked to be taken back to her flat.
"I immediately headed to the security guard and told him about the woman but, when we returned to the laundry room, she was gone," said the neighbour.
The pair went door-to-door looking for the woman until they found her at the defendants' flat on the third floor.
"We knocked and, when the couple opened the door, the mother was lying in pain on the floor of their living room," said the neighbour, who called for an ambulance.
Paramedics took the victim to Rashid Hospital.
"Her son did not move to help. He was very much indifferent about her pain and multiple injuries," said one of the paramedics, from Kenya.
The paramedic said the man did not identify himself as her son until he was asked.
"He told us her burns were self-inflicted by hot water then stood aside," the paramedic said.
Doctors called police after suspecting the woman's injuries were caused by various forms of torture and that she had been starved until she weighed only 29kg.
"She had scratches on her face and neck, first and second degree burns on 10 per cent of her body, multiple fractures in different parts of her body and swelling in her extremities," said a doctor.
The victim never recovered and died on October 31 last year.
Police investigations confirmed that the mother had been tortured between July and October.
The autopsy report revealed that the burns on the woman's legs were not caused by hot water, rather by an iron.
At the time of her death, the woman had 11 fractured ribs, a shoulder blade fracture and vertebra fracture as well as lens dislocation in both her eyes.
Her son, 29, and his wife, 28, were charged with physical assault leading to death.
The pair denied the charge in court on Wednesday.
The next hearing was scheduled for July 3.
Disclaimer
Director: Alfonso Cuaron
Stars: Cate Blanchett, Kevin Kline, Lesley Manville
Rating: 4/5
The line up
Friday: Giggs, Sho Madjozi and Masego
Saturday: Nas, Lion Bbae, Roxanne Shante and DaniLeigh
Sole DXB runs from December 6 to 8 at Dubai Design District. Weekend pass is Dh295 while a one day pass is Dh195. Tickets are available from www.soledxb.com
Electoral College Victory
Trump has so far secured 295 Electoral College votes, according to the Associated Press, exceeding the 270 needed to win. Only Nevada and Arizona remain to be called, and both swing states are leaning Republican. Trump swept all five remaining swing states, North Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, sealing his path to victory and giving him a strong mandate.
Popular Vote Tally
The count is ongoing, but Trump currently leads with nearly 51 per cent of the popular vote to Harris’s 47.6 per cent. Trump has over 72.2 million votes, while Harris trails with approximately 67.4 million.
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
5 of the most-popular Airbnb locations in Dubai
Bobby Grudziecki, chief operating officer of Frank Porter, identifies the five most popular areas in Dubai for those looking to make the most out of their properties and the rates owners can secure:
• Dubai Marina
The Marina and Jumeirah Beach Residence are popular locations, says Mr Grudziecki, due to their closeness to the beach, restaurants and hotels.
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh482 to Dh739
Two bedroom: Dh627 to Dh960
Three bedroom: Dh721 to Dh1,104
• Downtown
Within walking distance of the Dubai Mall, Burj Khalifa and the famous fountains, this location combines business and leisure. “Sure it’s for tourists,” says Mr Grudziecki. “Though Downtown [still caters to business people] because it’s close to Dubai International Financial Centre."
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh497 to Dh772
Two bedroom: Dh646 to Dh1,003
Three bedroom: Dh743 to Dh1,154
• City Walk
The rising star of the Dubai property market, this area is lined with pristine sidewalks, boutiques and cafes and close to the new entertainment venue Coca Cola Arena. “Downtown and Marina are pretty much the same prices,” Mr Grudziecki says, “but City Walk is higher.”
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh524 to Dh809
Two bedroom: Dh682 to Dh1,052
Three bedroom: Dh784 to Dh1,210
• Jumeirah Lake Towers
Dubai Marina’s little brother JLT resides on the other side of Sheikh Zayed road but is still close enough to beachside outlets and attractions. The big selling point for Airbnb renters, however, is that “it’s cheaper than Dubai Marina”, Mr Grudziecki says.
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh422 to Dh629
Two bedroom: Dh549 to Dh818
Three bedroom: Dh631 to Dh941
• Palm Jumeirah
Palm Jumeirah's proximity to luxury resorts is attractive, especially for big families, says Mr Grudziecki, as Airbnb renters can secure competitive rates on one of the world’s most famous tourist destinations.
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh503 to Dh770
Two bedroom: Dh654 to Dh1,002
Three bedroom: Dh752 to Dh1,152
THE SIXTH SENSE
Starring: Bruce Willis, Toni Collette, Hayley Joel Osment
Director: M. Night Shyamalan
Rating: 5/5
