Man admits to fracturing Dubai partygoer’s skull using a fire extinguisher

Briton said he was assaulted by the Emirati first at 4am hotel birthday party.

DUBAI // A Briton confessed on Monday to hitting an Emirati on the head with a fire extinguisher, causing severe skull fractures.

“It was because he assaulted me,” said the 45-year-old accused at Dubai Criminal Court.

Prosecutors said that on February 14 last year, the 30-year-old Emirati was invited to a friend’s birthday party at a hotel suite in Bur Dubai.

“I asked the birthday man if I could bring a friend with me and he said yes, so I headed to the hotel and knocked on the door,” he said.

The defendant opened the door and asked the Emirati about the identity of the man in his company.

“I told him he was a friend and that I asked first before bringing him with me, but he said I had to pay to get him in, so I threw my wallet in his face,” the Emirati said.

The defendant shut the door and returned moments later carrying a fire extinguisher, the court heard. He allegedly hit the Emirati on the head with it, after which the Emirati fell unconscious and was taken to hospital to undergo a life-saving operation as the blow fractured his skull, a forensic report said.

The report said that the man now suffers from epileptic, aggressive and nervous seizures, which was considered an 80 per cent disability.

An Emirati policeman testified that he was the friend taken along to the party.

He told prosecutors that the defendant opened the door for them and then closed it.

“I wanted to leave but then the door opened again and the defendant suddenly hit my friend on the head with a fire extinguisher,” said the 30-year-old corporal.

The 39-year-old Emirati who was celebrating his birthday said the defendant told him that he was slapped by the guest.

“I told him I will settle the problem but when I went to talk to my friend he told me he was not allowed in, so I let him in and, at that moment, the defendant assaulted him with the extinguisher,” said the party host.

The Briton is charged with physical assault that caused a permanent disability and with consuming alcohol without a licence, both of which he admitted in court.

The next hearing will be on May 2.