British man attacked Dubai police officer after refusing to pay taxi fare, court hears

A man choked a Dubai policeman, insulted him and tore his uniform after refusing to get out of a taxi, the emirate’s criminal court heard on Monday.

On July 1, the policeman, 25, and a fellow officer were responding to a report from a taxi driver who was parked in Al Muraqqabat area and said his passenger refused to leave the cab or pay his fare.

When the officer questioned the British man, he allegedly began mocking them with his answers.
"I asked him where he lived, he said 'at the police station'. Then I asked him about his name, he responded it was 'hell' then said his name was 'goat'," the officer said.

The officers took the 42-year-old accused to a police station, where he began mocking them and calling them animals.   
When asked to calm down, he refused and continued to insult the officers, who then chose to handcuff him.

"He started resisting and then tore my uniform and choked me with both hands before we were able to restrain him," said the officer.
In court on Monday, the accused denied charges of physical assault, issuing insults and damaging property.
The case was adjourned until September 19.