'Don't arrest me, I'm British': man in court over drunken row with police

A British salesman launched an alcohol-fuelled assault on two police officers before warning them not to arrest him because of his nationality, a court heard.

Officers allegedly found the 42-year-old man and a female friend, 29, in a drunken state in the streets of Al Rafaa, Dubai, at about 3.30am on March 22.

Police approached the pair and asked them to get in a taxi and go home.

The salesman ignored the request and made angry threats towards the officers, Dubai Criminal Court was told.

“They were causing chaos and staggering while the male accused was harassing passers by,” said an Emirati officer.

The court was told the man said to the officers: "I am British, look what will happen to you – you don't know who I am. One call, and you will see what would happen. Dubai Police is in my pocket."

The man then allegedly resisted arrested, shoving and kicking at two officers, while his female friend punched one of the officers in the face and struck him with her purse.

“I rushed to his help and we managed to get the man into the patrol car, but the woman stood in front of the patrol to stop us from driving away,” the second officer said.

The officers required back-up to bring the pair under control.

During examination from prosecutors, both defendants said they could not recall the incident because of how drunk they were at the time.

The man denied charges of consuming alcohol without a licence and assaulting and threatening officers when he appeared at court on Sunday.

His co-accused, from Vietnam, was unable to enter a plea as a translator was not available at the court.

The case was adjourned until October 1, when prosecutors will provide a translator.