Roundabout Dubai

Unlikely News! - Part 1

Unlikely News Stories from Dubai

By Safouh Zilzal- Staff Reporter - Special for Gulf Blues

Dubai - The Dubai Court of Fifth Instance yesterday found a local man guilty of reckless driving and criminal negligence in causing an accident that resulted in the serious injury of an Indian motorist and the death of his wife. The local, A.H. was sentenced to 80 lashes, a blood money fine of Dhs.500,000.00 and a jail sentence of 10 years followed by deportation. In his verdict, judge Abduladil Farouqi said that the defendant had broken the law and acted with no regard for the life and safety of others. The 25-year old local pleaded not guilty and his lawyer argued that the tragedy was an unfortunate accident. He added that his client suffers from RBSSS (Road Blind Speed Need Syndrome). RBSSS is very common among local drivers in Dubai. He also presented testimonies from the defendant’s family and friends to prove that he has a multiple-personality disorder. The judge rejected the defense arguments and ruled that A.H. was guilty on all accounts. The accident happened on Sheikh Zayed Road last month when A.H., driving a 4x4 Lexus at a very high speed, tried to overtake the Indian victim’s Nissan Sunny on the hard shoulder, hitting the Indian’s car and causing it to overturn and skid across the road before crashing against a barrier on the other side. V.S.’s wife was killed instantly as she was thrown against the metal barrier and her head was severed. The husband had a concussion in addition to broken bones and bruises. It took rescue personnel 2 hours to extract him and his wife from the wreck. The judge said that the verdict should be a lesson to local drivers who think they are above the law and that they can get a way with murder. The blood money should be paid within six months maximum. The defendant would be deported at the end of his prison sentence to his country of origin, Yemen. A.H.’s lawyer said they plan to appeal the ruling.

posted by bandicoot @ 12:10 AM