79-Trio appeal jail term for causing teenager's death

Three young men - convicted of causing the death of a teenage boy by heroin overdose - have appealed their seven-year-jail sentences.

Official court documents stated that the 19-year old Emirati boy's brother, the first defendant in the case, had taken him along with his two friends - all in their 20s - for desert camping.

They were to return the next morning after doing desert sports. They had pitched up a tent in the desert and also lit fire near their camp site.

While camping in the desert, the four consumed alcohol, heroin and cocaine throughout the evening. The victim's elder brother was reportedly celebrating his graduation from the university.

Late in the night, the victim - a first-timer in using drugs - went inside the tent and reportedly consumed a huge dose of cocaine that had been placed near a mobile phone, and fell unconscious.

One of his brother's friends - who went inside the tent to get some more food - found the victim lying on the ground, motionless.

Prosecutors said the men took the victim in their car to a nearby hospital in an attempt to revive him, but he was pronounced dead when he was taken there.

A medical report said the man died of drug overdose.

Police went and searched the tent in the desert where the men had spent the night after being informed about the victim's death. The cops found drugs and bottles of alcohol.

The trio was arrested and charged with providing drugs to the victim that caused his death. They were also charged with consuming drugs and illegal drinking and possession of alcohol.

The Abu Dhabi Criminal Court of First Instance had earlier sentenced the Emirati men to seven years in jail after they were found guilty of unintentionally causing the death of the teenager.

The men, however, challenged the ruling in the Abu Dhabi Appeal Court denying having caused death of the youngster.

The three said they consumed drugs but never caused death of the teenager. The trial was adjourned to a future date.

Source: Khaleej Times