A 22-year-old man caught distributing cards advertising illegal massaging centres, punched a police officer and broke his nose, the Dubai Criminal Court heard.

Records show the Nigerian defendant was spotted by a team of police officers patrolling Al Qusais area on November 2 last year as he distributed cards in front of residential buildings.

“It’s prohibited as per law, so we approached him and as we explained that what he was doing was illegal," said the 35-year-old Emirati officer.

"He resisted us and then tried to escape. When we tried to restrain him to take him into custody, he punched me on the nose."

In court on Thursday morning, the defendant admitted resisting arrest but denied assaulting an officer.

“I resisted them in an attempt to escape arres,t but I didn't assault anyone,” he said.

He awaits a verdict on February 26.