Worker in Dubai claims cleaver attack was in self-defence

Dubai - A Pakistani office assistant said that the accused attacked his friend with a cleaver.

A Nigerian man confessed to the charge of physical assault with a cleaver when he was brought before the court. The 26-year-old worker is accused of attacking a Pakistani with a cleaver on December 4, 2015.
However, he claimed in the Court of First Instance that he only acted in self defence. The accused is believed to have been drunk on that day when he also intentionally damaged four cars. A Pakistani mechanic said that the defendant damaged his car as it was parked outside the labour accommodation in Al Muhaisna, Al Qusais. Three others also accused the defendant of damaging their cars.  
A Pakistani office assistant said that the accused attacked his friend with a cleaver. "We saw him coming from the parking and he had a sharp weapon. My friend fell down after he was hit on the hand with the cleaver".
The witness said that the accused aimed for his friend's neck but the latter put his arm against the cleaver and he was hurt.
A police corporal said that the incident was reported at 3 am. "We found the accused sleeping outside his room. He was drunk. We retrieved the crime tool".
When questioned, the accused claimed he stepped in to split between two groups of Pakistani and Bangladeshi workers. He claimed he only tried to defend himself when he was assaulted. He claimed he could not recall whether he inflicted damage on some cars.
mary@khaleejtimes.com

• Dubai