Dubai Three men lost their appeals and will be jailed a month each for beating a truck driver after a road rage incident on Shaikh Zayed Road.
The Bahraini trio assaulted the 59-year-old Pakistani truck driver and caused him a permanent disability in May last year.
Records said the incident started after a tow truck bearing a GCC number plate cut dangerously into the lane of the truck, forcing the Pakistani truck driver to brake abruptly.
The 59-year-old victim switched lanes so his vehicle could cruise next to the tow truck and speak with its driver.
It was then that another tow truck cut into his lane, forcing the Pakistani man to slam the brakes again before pulling over to the side of the road.
The drivers of the two tow trucks also pulled over. The three Bahrainis approached the Pakistani driver and beat him up until he fell unconscious.
In May, the Dubai Court of First Instance acquitted the trio citing lack of corroborated evidence.
Prosecutors appealed the primary judgement and asked the Appeal Court to overturn the defendants’ acquittal and punish them.
On Wednesday, presiding judge Saeed Salem Bin Sarm accepted prosecutors’ appeal and overturned the defendants’ acquittal.
The three Bahraini defendants will be jailed for one month each and they were also fined Dh5,000 each.
“They beat me on my head and legs even while I was down on the ground. Then I regained my strength and called the police,” testified the Pakistani.
A police officer who responded to the incident said that the victim was brutally assaulted and was taken to the hospital.
He also said that the Bahrainis had lodged a police complaint that the Pakistani man assaulted them, but later admitted that they beat up the driver after police confronted them with statements from the driver and a witness.
When questioned before prosecutors, the three Bahrainis dismissed the claims of the 59-year-old truck driver.
The appellate ruling remains subject to appeal before the Cassation Court within 30 days.
