Officer's leg broken by suspect, court hears

He was investigating reports of credit card fraud when one of the suspects attacked him, according to records.

DUBAI // A man accused of breaking a police officer’s leg cried in a Dubai court this morning, saying he did not know the alleged victim was an officer.

The 31-year-old JE, from Nigeria, confessed to attacking the officer but denied knowing he worked for police: he was approached by eight men who did not identify themselves or present any ID cards, the Dubai Criminal Court of First Instance heard.

“I don't fight with police. i am a father and have two sons – I don't fight with police,” JE told the court.

Court records showed that on February 2, 2010, Naif police were tipped off about three Nigerian men possessing forged credit cards.

The men were allegedly trying to use the fake cards at different stores, records stated, adding that officers went to the store that raised the complaint to track down the suspects.

Two of them were spotted getting into a car by Habeeb Bank in the Bani Yas area and arrested, records said.

After investigating, police learnt that a third suspect, who has all the fake credit cards, was staying at a hotel in the same area, records show.

When the police officer, FA, was asking about JE in the reception area of the hotel about 8.30pm on February 2, the suspect jumped at FA, a corporal, and assaulted him, the records said.

He is accused of breaking FA’s leg and screaming at him, while FA could not defend himself or restrain the suspect because he was alone, his testimony in court records show.

FA said he notified colleagues stationed nearby, who arrested the suspect and called an ambulance.

At the hospital FA needed surgery and a rod implant. The medical report said FA suffered from a 10 per cent permanent disability in his leg due now.

There was no mention of the fake credit card charges in court records.

A verdict is expected on March 3.