Dubai: A student who tricked a female horse enthusiast on BlackBerry Messenger by posing as a horse-riding trainer and then attempted to rape her in his car, has been jailed for 10 years.

The 22-year-old Emirati student, E.M., asked the 28-year-old Saudi woman to add him on BBM before he joined her at a coffee shop to discuss horse riding lessons. The defendant lied to the woman when he claimed that he trained horses at the Ruler’s stables before he offered to drive her back to her home around 10.30pm.

Records said E.M. turned violent and repeatedly punched, slapped and grabbed the woman’s neck after she persistently resisted his attempt to remove her clothes s and rape her.

Despite having entered a not guilty plea, the Dubai Court of First Instance jailed E.M. for 10 years after convicting him of deception and resorting to physical violence when he attempted to rape the woman.

Chief Prosecutor Khalid Al Zarouni, of Bur Dubai Prosecution, had asked for implementation of the toughest punishment applicable against the defendant.

According to the charge sheet, the Emirati took advantage of the woman’s weakness and the fact that she was alone with him in his car when he tried to have sex with her against her will.

The convict pleaded innocent and contended that the Saudi intended to blackmail him and complained against him out of malice.

Meanwhile the Saudi woman said she had rejected several friend requests on BBM from the accused a day prior to the incident in June 2012.

“He alleged that he worked as a driver for VIPs and a horse riding trainer at the Ruler’s stables. When he discovered the location of the coffee shop where I was present from the profile picture that I had posted on BBM, he came to me. He asked to join me, and I agreed because I was interested in taking riding lessons. .... The defendant offered me a lift… and I agreed. On the way back, I asked him to stop at a petrol station to pay my electricity bill. I could not withdraw enough cash from the first station, so he said he would stop at a nearby station. Next he drove into a sandy area and parked. He covered his face with his palms and pretended to cry. When I asked what was wrong, he suddenly turned towards me and beat me. He repeatedly punched and slapped me… I resisted him and prevented him from kissing me or removing my abaya. He turned very violent and kept on beating me… then he removed my dress, but I defended myself and foiled his rape attempt,” claimed the woman.

Records said the victim and her acquaintance reported the matter to the police.

A police lieutenant, who questioned the defendant, cited E.M. alleging that the woman fabricated the case against him because he refused to pay her utility bill.

Records said the woman sought Dh50,000 to waive her complaint but a settlement could not be reached.

Sunday’s ruling remains subject to appeal within 15 days.