DUBAI // A drunk engineer told a security guard that he was British, a boxer and would hit anyone who stood in his way, as he tried to enter the beach area of a private club on the Palm Jumeirah, the Misdemeanours Court heard.
He then punched the security guard in the abdomen and tore up his coat before running off, later being chased down by police and arrested.
TK, a 36-year-old Nepali who works as a security guard at the private club, told prosecutors that at about 9pm on December 23 last year he went to check after hearing loud screaming coming from nearby and saw the Briton NS, 27, fighting with another security guard.
"I told the man to calm down but he started insulting me and told me he was a British national who boxed and would hit anyone who stood in his way," said the security guard, who added that the man was "drunk".
He said he told the man he could not enter the club's section of beach because he did not have a pass, but was punched by the man who then ran off. MK, a 33-year-old from Lebanon, said he was in a car with his family when the Briton crossed the road and flashed his middle finger at him.
"He then approached my window and I thought he was coming to apologise, so I lowered the glass," said the Lebanese man.
He said the Briton then punched him in the face, cutting him near his left eyebrow.
"I started chasing him and saw other people chasing him - then I realised that he had assaulted another man," said the Lebanese man. He said the Briton swore at him and cursed Arab nationals.
The Briton admitted consuming alcohol and hitting the Lebanese man, but said he was provoked.
"As I waited to cross the road, a car stopped in the middle of the crossing area so I yelled at him," said the Briton. "He stepped out of his vehicle and we quarrelled before he punched me on the head. I punched him back."
"I was with my wife and mother at the time," he added.
In court the Briton denied insulting and assaulting the security guard, but confessed to insulting and assaulting the Lebanese man. He also admitted flashing his middle finger at the Lebanese man and illegally consuming alcohol.
The next hearing was scheduled for September 25.
salamir@thenational.ae
