Photo has been used for illustrative purposes.

Hamza M Sengendo, Staff Reporter

A cleaner in the habit of drinking and sleeping in a company bus during working hours rained punches in his supervisor’s face for telling him off.

The African defendant, 31, assaulted the Indian, 27, inside their accommodation on Mar.11. He thrust blows on his mouth and left him with injuries that took more than 20 days to heal. An upper tooth fell.

Prosecutors sued the defendant over injurious assault and illicit consumption of alcohol. The Criminal Court has found him guilty and sentenced him to six months in the dock after which he will be deported.

Before prosecutors, the victim narrated that he was inside the accommodation in Al Qusais at around 1pm on Mar.11 when one of the workers notified him the cleaner habitually retreated to the bus to sleep.

“I went to him and asked him why he was sleeping in the company bus. I was advising him that it was not allowed when he punched me several times on my nose and mouth, particularly my front teeth,” he complained.

A medical report showed the victim’s upper teeth suffered weakened bases. Ultimately, one of the left upper teeth had to be removed. Doctors described this as a 1 per cent permanent deformity. In a separate assault case, an unemployed man who slapped a friend for rumour-mongering in an incident that saw the friend hit his head on a pavement has been let off with a warning from the Criminal Court.

The Arab defendant, 37, slapped the Emirati victim, 39, in the face. He slumped hitting his head on the edge of a pavement along a Dubai street. He slipped into a coma. The defendant admitted before the court.

“We engaged in a heated argument after he provoked me. I did not intend to assault him that way.” On Jul.3 his female lawyer argued that he did not intend to cause the injury. “He was too drunk that day.

“The victim insulted him and they exchanged blows,” contended the lawyer who then presented a waiver to the court’s jury. The jury has sentenced the defendant to a three month-suspended prison term.

An Emirati lieutenant said the defendant upon arrest said the victim was spreading rumours about him. He and his cohorts met in Al Quoz and summoned the victim for a discussion. One splashed water on his face.

The defendant slapped him. He fell down. The defendant carried him inside a cohort’s car. They dropped him at a Dubai hospital and sped off. The primary ruling remains subject to appeal within fourteen days.