Dubai: One of three sisters attacked by a hammer-wielding intruder at their hotel last week in central London is now conscious and stable, a family member said on Sunday.
“Uhoud is conscious and can now move her hands and recognise her family. She did not lose her left eye, but because she was hit near it, she has lost between 10 and 20 per cent of her eyesight,’ said the family member, who declined to be named.
Earlier accounts from authorities in London said that her injuries were worse than they actually were, said the male family member.
“Our family is in the process of suing the hotel but we are waiting for the result of the investigation first. Based on that information, after that, we will decide whether we will sue the hotel or not.”
“She’s awake and stable, and she is doing much better,” he said.
He did not elaborate on reports that she had lost some brain function from the head injuries ensuing from the attack.
Speaking to Gulf News, he said that her two sisters, Fatima 31, and Kholoud, 36, have been transferred out of intensive care and are recuperating.
The relative, who was in London and landed in Abu Dhabi on Saturday, said: “They are all doing fine and have been moved from intensive care unit to a standard room, and the family is staying at their side.”
The two sisters who have been moved both suffered skull fractures.
One sister suffered two fractures to her skull, a broken left arm, and a fractured cheek bone, and is due to undergo two operations in the coming week.
The other sister has a fracture to her skull and a ruptured left eardrum.
Jaafar Al Najar, the father of the victims, said that he was not in any condition to talk to the media or to the authorities due to his weak and fragile state of mind.
“Doctor said that she will be released from ICU soon but they didn’t say when, because she’s still having treatment. My other daughters are also doing well,” he said.
Ebrahim Al Tamimi, head of the Lawyers’ Association in Abu Dhabi, explained that UAE-based lawyers cannot represent the family in England unless they have a licence to work there, or if they are represented by a British licence holder.
“A lawyer from the UAE can go to court and ask for compensation and claim for damages, but they can only do it once the British authorities find the suspects guilty. But [UAE-based lawyers] cannot represent them now but when we can, we are ready to do it pro bono,” said Al Tamimi.
The three British men involved in the violent assault appeared at Westminster Magistrate’s Court in London on Saturday. Philip Spence stands accused of three counts of attempted murder and one of aggravated burglary, while two others have been charged with handling stolen goods. Spence, a 32-year-old from London, was remanded in custody following his appearance. Property worth more than £1,000 (Dh6,146) was taken and withdrawals totalling £3,000 were made on one of the victims’ bank cards.
Thomas Efremi, 56, was charged with handling stolen goods and fraud by false representation, and James Moss, 33, was charged with handling stolen goods.
A woman, Carly Baker, 31, is charged with handling stolen goods and will appear in court on Tuesday.
