Man jailed for five years after killing friend in row over lost phone

The Indian citizen kicked the victim in the chest before fleeing the scene, unaware he had delivered a fatal blow

A man who killed a friend during a row over a missing mobile phone has been handed a five-year jail sentence.

The 33-year-old had been drinking alcohol with the victim and two others in the back of a pick-up truck in Al Quoz, Dubai, on December 13 of last year when the argument broke out.

The Indian citizen shoved and kicked the man to the ground, before leaving the scene along with the two others in the group.

The owner of the vehicle found the man dead some hours later.

All three men who were with the victim - - whose age and nationality were not disclosed in court records - on the night were arrested within 48 hours.

In court earlier this month, the defendant denied a charge of physical assault that caused death.

He was subsequently found guilty of the offence.

“I didn’t mean to end his life,” he told judges.

An Indian man, 41, who was among the group, said the two men were involved in a verbal altercation which turned violent.

“We were all drinking in the back of a parked pick up truck when the two started arguing,” said the witness.

“They had a fight and the defendant kicked the victim on his chest and knocked him down and then left, and so did we.”

A police officer said the assailant and the witnesses had been unaware the victim was fatally injured when they left the scene.

“During questioning they told us what happened and how the defendant attacked and kicked his friend in the chest,” the policeman said.

“All three had left unknowing the victim had died, they only knew when we arrested them.”

It was not made clear in court records to whom the missing phone belonged to.

The defendant will be deported after serving his term, which can still be appealed within two weeks.