'Dubai insult' Aussie freed

SUN MCKAY: The security consultant is hoping to return to Australia for Christmas after months in a Dubai jail.

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An Australian man who faced three years in jail and was detained for months in the United Arab Emirates, for swearing at an official, has been released after being fined.

Sun McKay, 32, a security consultant, can now realise his dream of being home by Christmas Day, after a Dubai judge yesterday found him guilty but chose to sentence him to a 2000 dirhams (NZ$748) fine instead of imprisonment.

The former soldier, of Adelaide, had been stranded in Dubai since late September, awaiting trial on charges of insulting and using inappropriate language to a police officer.

Mr McKay said he was grabbed on the wrist and yanked by a stranger at Dubai International Airport, and instinctively said: "What the f---?"

But the man was a plain-clothes airport policeman. Mr McKay was charged with insulting him and had his passport confiscated.

He pleaded not guilty and at the hearing his lawyer highlighted inconsistencies in the policeman's statement to different officials.

"Hurray - the judgment went well, and I got a fine," Mr McKay wrote yesterday on Facebook.

"Commonsense prevailed in the end."

Close friend Laurine Le Man, who wrote to Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd about Mr McKay's plight, celebrated the news last night.

"He texted me as soon as he got out. We had a couple of celebratory drinks last night ... his Facebook page went crazy yesterday.

"I'm sure the Port Noarlunga Football Club [Mr McKay's club, for which he played, near Adelaide] were going off ... or they might be waiting for Sun to get home."

Going into the hearing Mr McKay felt his odds of being released were about "50-50", Ms Le Man said.

While stranded in Dubai, Mr McKay became so homesick he resorted to watching videos of Australian rock bands and of the Last Post [on Remembrance Day in November] via YouTube.

He was now trying to get his passport returned to him, and making travel plans to return home.

"At this point he's not sure on the timing, but the ultimate dream is to be home by Christmas," Ms Le Man said.

Coincidentally, Ms Le Man yesterday received a response from Mr Rudd to her letter. It reiterated the Government's unwillingness to interfere in the legal process in Dubai, but said that it would continue to offer consular assistance to Mr McKay.

"It was nice to get that response, even though it was on the day he was set free."

Mr McKay has previously been critical of the Government's response to his case.

Mr McKay's employer had indicated he would be happy to have him "back on the job", but it was unclear what he planned to do next, Ms Le Man said.

"We spoke about it while he was waiting for the verdict. 'What are you planning for the future if this comes good?'" Ms Le Man said.

"He's been reflecting on it a lot and will make some decisions for his life."

- © Fairfax NZ News