Teen denies causing drunk British tourist's death

A drunk British tourist trying to dodge paying a taxi fare ran into a student then dropped dead, a Dubai court has been told.

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DUBAI // A drunk British tourist trying to dodge paying a taxi fare ran into a student then dropped dead, a court was told.

MK, 38, was in the Marina area in July when he hailed a cab at about 3am, Dubai Court of Misdemeanours heard. When it pulled over, he ran away and was chased by the Nepali driver, TA, 27.

He ran into AB, an 18-year-old Saudi student. The driver said the student pushed the tourist away, and he fell to the ground motionless. He was still unconscious when police arrived and was taken to hospital, where he died soon after.

The student was arrested and charged with mistakenly causing a person's death, which he denies.

"I was walking near Marina Mall heading to my hotel when the man suddenly appeared next to me and [swore at] me," said the student.

"He hit me on the chest with his hand but I did not assault him. I just tried to stop him from assaulting me and suddenly he fell."

The driver said he picked up the Briton outside a tower.

"He told me to go to Marina but he was so drunk and unaware of where he was staying he could not tell me where exactly to go," said the driver. He pulled over to determine where the Briton was staying but he ran away.

"The student was walking when MK suddenly hit him and he just pushed him away, he did not assault him."

Forensics reports found the Briton died of a brain haemorrhage after his head hit the pavement.

A verdict will be delivered on December 25.