Drunk executives jailed for insulting policeman on Dubai beach

DUBAI // Two drunk men who insulted a policeman as he showered on the beach and blasphemed in front of him were today sentenced to two-and-a-half years in jail and fined Dh15,000 each.

The Misdemeanours Court sentenced the Tunisians JA, a 38-year-old manager, and EA, a 34-year-old executive, to two years and Dh10,000 for the blasphemy, six months and Dh3,000 for the insults and Dh2,000 for the illegal consumption of alcohol. Both will also be deported following their jail terms.

SM, a 21-year-old Emirati policeman from Sharjah, had been swimming with friends on the JBR public beach behind the Hilton hotel at about 7pm on May 4 this year. When he visited the showers he took off his swimming shorts, but did not take off his underwear. Despite this the two men approached him and insulted him for showing his body.

The policeman said he told them that all the other beach goers were dressed similarly, and that he was not showing himself. He said that one of the men also walked towards him and was going to assault him, but stopped when he noticed one of the officer's friends nearby. The policeman added that he warned both the men of his profession.

The officer's friend, 22-year-old KK, told the court that he was standing next to the policeman at the time and overheard all the insults.

The insults included remarks aimed at the officer's mother and blasphemous curses.

salamir@thenational.ae