DUBAI // A US Navy serviceman who beat up two police officers who were attempting to arrest him while he attacked a further two men, was yesterday fined Dh1,000.
JC, 20, was charged in the Dubai Court of Misdemeanours in October with assaulting two policemen and the illegal consumption of alcohol. JC, who could have received up to three years in jail for fighting with police, had denied assault but confessed to illegal drinking. He was convicted of both charges.
The American fought with the two Emirati policemen, AM and AA, on May 17 at a McDonald's restaurant inside an Emarat petrol station in the Umm Suqeim area. JC and MJ, 28, went to the station to buy a meal, during which time JC got into a heated argument with a 28-year-old Indian cook, CM. MJ testified that the incident turned physical after they arrived at the petrol station. The reason behind the disagreement was not given.
Police were called to the scene and intervened while JC was punching CM repeatedly in the face. The policemen told prosecutors that JC resisted being taken into custody and assaulted them.
They were injured in the attack, but the extent of their injuries was not revealed. JC was arrested and later released on bail. The American denied the assault allegations in court, claimed he did not attack the officers and said that he was unaware of his actions and had no memory of the incident because of his intoxication. CM told prosecutors that he was assaulted for no apparent reason.
Although the policemen dropped their case against the American, as well as the Indian cook after the incident was investigated, prosecutors charged JC with assaulting the officers. The court fined him Dh1,000 for the assault but suspended the sentence and fine. However, he had to pay a Dh1,000 fine for illegal consumption of alcohol.
