Asian’s 10-year sentence for killing friend upheld

An Asian man who viciously punched a drunk man unconscious, robbed him of just Dh25 and left him for dead, has had his 10 year jail term upheld.

On Wednesday, The Dubai Court of appeals upheld the lower court’s verdict, after forensic reports revealed the suspect caused the death of his friend.

In its ruling, the court handed down the suspect H.A.A., a 29-year-old carpenter, seven years in jail for punching his friend, with strong blows to his face. He was handed down an additional three years behind bars for stealing his friend’s mobile phone, wallet — which contained a mere Dh25 — and his Nol public transport card, before fleeing the scene of the crime.

On interrogation at the Public Prosecution, the suspect said he had met the victim near the bus station, who was heavily drunk. He accompanied him on foot to his place of residence then admitted to shouting at the man when he began urinating on himself. The defendant said he punched him in the face, which caused the man to bleed and struggle for breath.

He then added: “I robbed him, and ran away”.

In his testimony, a police official said that after finding the body of the victim, the police formed an investigation which led to the arrest of the perpetrator. When interrogated, the suspect confessed to the crime. The forensic report stated that the victim fell unconscious after receiving blows to the head.

The fact that he was intoxicated and not discovered sooner led to his death.

salah@khaleejtimes.com