Motorist appeals deportation for swearing at policeman

Man was sentenced to six months in prison followed by deportation.

ABU DHABI // A motorist jailed for swearing at a police sergeant who was tailgating him today appealed his deportation order.

American FM was sentenced by the Criminal Court of First Instance to six months in prison followed by deportation on the grounds that he had confessed to raising his middle finger to the officer - yet he denied doing so when he appeared in the Appeals Court yesterday.

His lawyer added that the verdict of the first court was based on the testimony of a witness, "but there is no mention of an actual witness anywhere in the case files".

The Criminal Court of First Instance heard at the man's original trial that he made the rude gesture after being tailgated by the policeman, who flashed his front lights at him in an effort to make him move over.

The police sergeant said he then stopped the man and asked him if he had indeed made a rude gesture. He told the court that the American admitted raising his middle finger, saying it was a normal act in the UAE. The sergeant said he told the man it was forbidden in the UAE and filed a complaint against him.

The Appeal Court's verdict will be announced on April 18.