Officer on sword charge

DUBAI // An Emirati policeman has denied attacking a Filipino in the street with a sword and seriously injuring him. According to the victim, GB, the 21-year-old policeman identified as SA, who was off duty, hit him twice with a sword, inflicting a large cut on his leg and causing him around 20 per cent loss of mobility. GB told the Dubai Criminal Court of First Instance yesterday that he was walking with a friend in Satwa late one evening in May last year when his friend waved to the traffic to slow so they could cross the road.

The defendant, who was driving, stopped his car and jumped out with a sword in his hand and slashed at GB's thigh without warning, causing a large gash. He then struck him again on the head. The defendant and his passenger then got back into their car and drove off, leaving the victim in agony on the ground. His friend and passers-by came to his aid and an ambulance was called. The policeman was arrested two days later.

He pleaded not guilty to a charge of assault. The case was adjourned until Oct 8. hmbathish@thenational.ae