Picture used for illustrative purposes.

Mohammed Yaseen, Staff Reporter

The Dubai Misdemeanor Court fined a drunk European young man Dhs10,000 for entering his neighbour’s apartment in Dubai Marina because he believed it was his and refusing to leave it despite its residents’ request.

The case dated back to last May when a Gulf citizen in a tower in Dubai Marina was surprised by the defendant entering his apartment, which was not tightly locked. According to the complainant’s statement, he tried to prevent the defendant from entering his apartment but the latter refused as he was under the influence of alcoholic beverages.

The complainant added that he called his father, who came to the apartment and tried to get the defendant out but the latter refused and was walking around the apartment and confirming it was the apartment he was living in.

The incident was reported to the police accordingly. According to the official documents, the defendant, 34, was arrested and on interrogation, he confessed that he was confused as he was living in an apartment adjacent to that of the complainant and that he did not intend to break into his neighbor's apartment.

The defendant justified his action by being drunk and did not distinguish the number of his apartment. The Dubai Public Prosecution charged him with entering an occupied place, contrary to the owner’s will.