Grandad held in Dubai over party row to face court

A grandfather from Aberdeenshire who is unable to leave Dubai following a noise row with neighbours has been told the case will go to court.

Ian Mackellar, 74, and his wife, of Newtonhill, had been visiting their daughter and young granddaughter in the United Arab Emirates when he went to complain about music during a Hogmanay party.

He was then reported to the police, accused of trespassing. The resulting investigation meant he was not allowed to leave the country.

The family hoped the matter would resolve and he could come home, but his wife Carol, 71, told BBC Scotland News that police say it will proceed to court.

Mrs Mackellar said: "The police have completed their investigations.

“Ian has been given a new case number and we've been told the case will be going from a complaint case to a court case.

"We're very upset. I just want him home."

She added: "His sister has decided to fly over to see him as we are so worried about him, mentally and physically."

The couple had travelled over last month to help their daughter settle in the country.

However things turned sour when Mr Mackellar went to ask neighbours to turn down music on the night of 31 December as family members were trying to sleep.

Mrs Mackellar said her husband went to have a "neighbour-to-neighbour" chat to ask them to turn it down a bit.

But she said some people became "aggressive", and that one person threw a drink.

Mrs Mackellar said the police then came to their door two days later and informed them of the trespass complaint.

Andrew Bowie, the MP for West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine, said work was ongoing to support his constituent.

"We are absolutely determined to ensure that Mr Mackellar sees justice and indeed that he is released," he said.

The Foreign Office has said it is providing consular assistance to a British man in Dubai.

The Government of Dubai Media Office has been approached for comment.