Two women accused of assaulting each other in mall

Fight broke out after one of the women accused her former friend of ignoring her.

DUBAI// Two former friends and Quran lesson classmates landed in court last week after a percieved insult in a mall cafe led to assault charges for both, according to records.

The women, both Emiratis, fought in Wafi Centre in May 2010 after one of them declined to respond to the other's greeting, according to court records.

One of the women, KA, told prosecutors she had walked into a coffee shop in Wafi Centre and spotted HM and other female friends having breakfast. Records show she went to greet them, but HM ignored her and started insulting her.

She said HM used inappropriate language, to which she did not respond. HM, meanwhile, said KA accused her of being a prostitute, then assaulted her physically.

KA told the Dubai Court of Misdemeanours they used to go to Quran lessons together, but later HM stopped attending the lessons and decided to open a cafe, which, she explained, drew them apart.

Prosecution charged both women with assaulting bodily safety and verbal abuse.

In her testimony, HM said KA hit her on the head with a glass of water and a plate that were on the table, then kicked the table into her abdomen and slapped her in the face, chest and neck.

"She threatened to kill me if I reported what happened to the police," HM said.

A medical report presented to court showed that HM suffered swelling in two fingers in her left hand caused by torn ligaments.

Records stated each woman denied using inappropriate language but accused the other of doing so.

A witness, SS, who was at the coffee shop, said when KA arrived, an argument erupted between her and HM who, according to her testimony, had a long history of problems.

"When she threw her bag to the floor and attacked HM, I took my daughter and left the place," SS told prosecutors.

The court will reconvene on March 9 to hear more witness testimony.