Horror … Abbie fell to death on honeymoon
Dubai; A BRITISH motorcycling champ is facing jail for being drunk in Dubai after his wife plunged to her death on their honeymoon. Sean Emmett, 43, was arrested when he went to sign police papers nine days after the death of bride Abbie, 27.The former superbike star whose wife fell from a hotel window was accused of smelling of booze. He admitted downing three beers, three sambucas and two brandies the night before.
Strict Muslim authorities are pressing ahead with charges even though the grieving husband was legally served in the bar of the £205-a-night Jumeirah Creekside Hotel where the couple had been staying in Garhoud.
Vicar’s daughter Abbie died in hospital on February 19. She had drunk heavily before falling from the window in the early hours. She had flown to Dubai days earlier after marrying divorced father-of-three Mr Emmett in Cape Town, South Africa.
Police said all evidence pointed to suicide and closed their investigation. Mr Emmett was held on February 28 when he took a taxi to a police station in Al Rashidiya to organise for Abbie’s body to be released — and spent four days in a cell.
He said last night: “There is no way on Earth I would walk into a police station drunk.
Facing jail … ex-professional Grand Prix racer Sean Emmett
“Unfortunately if you have any alcohol in your system it seems to be very black and white here — they just think you are drunk.”
He added: “I am disappointed because, while I understand the views on alcohol, being European we have totally different views.”
Under laws in the Arab emirate, anyone who drinks should have a licence. However, bar staff rarely ask for proof and millions of tourists drink there every year.Ex-professional Grand Prix racer Mr Emmett won 19 superbike races and clocked up more than 50 MotoGP appearances. Since retiring, he has worked as a private instructor in Addlestone, Surrey, and runs a bike taxi service.
He signed a statement to prosecutors saying: “I am guilty. I drank alcohol. I do not have a licence.” He has surrendered his passport and is banned from leaving Dubai until he goes before a judge on April 30.
Meanwhile, Abbie’s father Rev Christopher Elson said family and friends were “shocked and devastated” at her death.
Source : The Sun
