Dubai Court Acquits Police Officer in Tree-Cutting and Property Damage Case

A Dubai misdemeanour court has acquitted a police officer accused of damaging a farm fence and unlawfully cutting trees, finding that the prosecution had not presented evidence strong enough to prove misconduct or abuse of authority.

 

In its judgment, the court ruled that the officer could not be held responsible for pruning activities carried out by municipal workers, noting that the case file did not meet the level of certainty required for a criminal conviction. The court stressed that confirming land boundaries and securing permissions is the responsibility of the competent municipality.

 

The case arose from a complaint alleging that tree-cutting near a private farm in Wadi Al Amardi caused damage to part of an aluminium fence. Municipal teams had reportedly visited the area after receiving reports that overhanging branches were obstructing a nearby road.

 

According to court documents, the matter was first reported in October last year when a patrol responded to a complaint about possible property damage. The complainant said municipal crews were trimming trees either on or along the farm boundary and may have damaged the fence. Police documented the scene and registered the report.

 

Case files show that the officer became involved after a neighbour asked him to relay information about branches obstructing traffic. He said he merely directed municipal staff to the general location and later met an inspector to point out the affected area.

 

During questioning, a municipality supervisor claimed he proceeded with the trimming because the officer -- who was in uniform -- indicated that approval from the farm’s management had already been obtained. The officer denied ever making such a statement, saying he neither authorised nor supervised any pruning and was unaware of the fence damage until after the complaint was lodged.

He added that he assumed municipal workers would follow established procedures, including verifying ownership and ensuring the necessary approvals before working on private land.

 

The defence highlighted inconsistencies in witness statements and emphasised that no independent evidence confirmed the officer had instructed anyone to carry out the trimming. It argued that verifying permits and property boundaries lies squarely within the municipality’s remit.

 

The court found that the prosecution failed to prove criminal intent -- an essential element in offences involving property damage or unauthorised cutting of trees. Any uncertainty, the judgment stated, must be interpreted in favour of the accused.

 

The ruling confirmed that the officer’s role was limited to identifying branches obstructing public access and coordinating with the farm manager, while instructions for actual trimming came from the relevant municipal department. It concluded that his actions were aimed at resolving a public safety issue, not committing an offence.

 

With the required legal elements for conviction not met, the court acquitted the officer and dismissed the case under Article 212 of the Criminal Procedures Law.

 

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