Woman, mother-in-law accused of exchanging blows

Dubai: A woman and her former mother-in-law have been accused of exchanging blows and pulling each other’s hair in a massive catfight during a children’s custody hearing at Dubai courts.

The paths of the Arab wife and her countrywoman mother-in-law met as they were scheduled to attend a hearing concerning the custody battle before a Sharia judge at Dubai Courts where the fight happened in November.

Prosecutors accused the two women of assaulting and biting each other and causing each other physical injuries that prevented them from carrying out their routine activities for 20 days.

The divorced woman, who is in custody, failed to show up before the Dubai Misdemeanours Court and enter a plea on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, the mother-in-law entered a not guilty plea and contended that her former daughter-in-law is the one who initiated the assault during the children’s custody hearing last year.

“Sir, we were having a legal battle with her over the children’s visitation at the judge’s office in Dubai court. Following a heated argument, she came from behind and assaulted me. She grabbed my head and pulled my hair. I pushed her away... when she tried to beat me again on my face, I bit her hand to push her away,” she argued before the presiding judge.

“Have you assaulted her the same way she assaulted you?” the judge told the mother-in-law.

“She is the one who always make trouble. She’s a troublemaker and fights with everyone. That’s why she’s in detention now. I only bit her to defend myself... I am not guilty,” replied the present suspect.

Court records said the suspects attacked each other at the judge’s office at the Dubai courts building in November before police were summoned to the location.

During questioning, the suspects were said to have exchanged blame and accused each other of starting the fight.

Records said the two women sustained injuries in their arms, shoulders, backs, faces, heads, necks and hair.

The presiding judge adjourned the case until the ex-daughter-in-law is brought from detention to enter her plea later this month.