http://www.7days.ae/storydetails.php?id ... itle=Delay in Ikea punch-up case
Two men accused of breaking the jaw of a heavily pregnant woman and attacking her husband after a row in furniture store Ikea have appeared in court.
The oldest defendant, a 52-year-old Emirati, denies punching the Canadian woman with such force that her jaw was fractured during a bust-up over seating in the food court at the store in Dubai’s Festival City last June.
He told the court the 33-year-old victim, who was seven months pregnant at the time, fell over.
The second defendant, a 43-year-old Emirati, arrived 30 minutes late for the hearing because he was “trying to find a parking space” and smirked throughout the proceedings.
He admits punching the woman’s 37-year-old husband but claims he was provoked.
A third defendant, also charged with assault, failed to appear before the judge for a second time.
His lawyer said he had been given permission to take his passport from police and was working abroad.
The woman told 7DAYS: “My heart was pounding just seeing them again. So many times we’ve been asked whether we want to dismiss this case but there is no way that’s going to happen. We will keep coming to court make sure this goes all the way.”
The couple claim they were eating lunch at 12-seater table in the Festival City store when a trio of men in local dress told them to move because they wanted their seats.
When the pair refused, they say the husband was beaten unconscious and the wife punched to the ground twice when she tried to intervene.
One of the men was about to crush the husband’s head with a large wooden chair from the restaurant when a Syrian and Australian diner came to the couple’s rescue.
The prosecution has written statements from six witnesses.
There was CCTV in the store but yesterday the judge refused to request a copy of it.
When 7DAYS asked the defendants to comment, the 52-year-old said: “Why would I want to talk to you?”
The case has been adjourned until next month.
So there's CCTV evidence and the judge doesn't request a copy?
Defendant number two thinks it's OK to smirk through the proceedings?
And defendent Number three has got his passport back from the Police and is working abroad, and doesn't come back for the case in court?
Can't say it looks like justice is going to be done in this case, but fair play to the victims who are planning to take it all the way. Let's see what happens next month...