Public prosecutor reduces charges against Moore

DUBAI // Three of the four charges brought against former Australian footballer Craig Moore have been dropped. Mr Moore was arrested last Wednesday evening after an argument with his taxi driver over payment of a Dh50 fare. Police were called to the scene and Mr Moore was arrested. He was charged with non-payment of a taxi driver, twin charges of insulting and assaulting a public official and illegal consumption of alcohol. According to a statement issued by the Dubai Public Prosecutor today, Mr Moore's case was reviewed on Monday. He was able to reach a settlement with the taxi driver and the non-payment charge was dropped. The police officer involved also dropped the charges of insulting and assaulting a public official. "The victims expressed their wishes to withdraw their complaints, so we dropped the charges against him as per the legal procedures law," said Chief Bur Dubai Prosecutor Sami al Shamsi. Mr Moore has been referred to the Dubai Court of Misdemeanours to face a charge of illegal consumption of alcohol. The charge can carry a one to three-month jail term, a fine of up to Dh5,000, or both. [e-mail]