Pair accused of killing clubber were protecting woman, court told

DUBAI // A Moroccan who harassed a young woman in a nightclub died in a brawl with her friends outside, a court heard yesterday. Witnesses told the Dubai Criminal Court of First Instance that YA, 23, and SS, 22 - both Emirati - tried to stop Al Mustafa al Sadooni pestering the woman, after which a fight involving several people erupted outside the Lodge in Dubai.

The 22-year-old Egyptian woman said Mr al Sadooni, also 22, had repeatedly tried to engage her in the club and, as she was leaving, he followed her outside with a glass in his hand and swore at her. When he approached her, the defendants intervened. "I was standing about four metres from them when the fight broke out," said the woman. The defendants told the court that they were defending themselves from Mr al Sadooni, who, they said, was drunk.

A Moroccan, AB, said he saw Mr al Sadooni on the floor with his head bleeding, but did not see who struck him. Another witness, who identified himself as a friend of Mr al Sadooni, told the court that YA kept kicking Mr al Sadooni in the head while the Moroccan was laid on the floor. The witness said he tried to break up the fight but was attacked by three men and fled. The court had previously heard how Mr al Sadooni suffered a fractured skull and internal bleeding.

A police officer told the court that police had tracked down the suspects and arrested them in Al Qusais. When questioned, they said some Egyptian girls had accompanied them to the club where Mr al Sadooni had continually harassed one of them. The incident happened on April 21. Both defendants, whose fathers were present in court, pleaded not guilty to manslaughter. They admit consuming alcohol. Presiding judge Al Saeed Bargouth adjourned the trial until September 1. The defendants were remanded on bail.

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