Man handed six-month jail term for drunken attack on Dubai taxi driver

Driver's front teeth were knocked out during unprovoked assault

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A booze-fuelled passenger who knocked out a Dubai taxi driver's front teeth during an unprovoked attack has been sentenced to six months in prison.

The Nepalese offender, 32, was ordered to leave the vehicle soon after being picked up when he hurled foul-mouthed abuse at the victim.

But when the drunken man stepped out of the vehicle he continued to argue with the Indian driver, 49, before punching him in the face.

“He stepped out of the taxi and we started arguing and he just attacked me, punching me on the mouth and breaking my teeth,” said the driver.

“He had asked me to take him to Al Mutaina and as soon as I moved the car, he started insulting me using bad language.”

The incident took place at about 8.30pm on March 29, shortly after the driver picked up the defendant in Al Rafaa, Dubai.

A passer-by helped the driver restrain the assailant and police were then alerted.

The defendant admitted consuming alcohol but denied physical assault and issuing insults  at Dubai Criminal Court last month.

He was convicted of all offences during a hearing at the court on Thursday.

He was also hit with a Dh2,000 fine and is to be deported once he has served his prison term.