UAE | Crime

'Bobbitised' man recovers

Maid in custody for chopping off 78-year-old employer's penis to escape sexual harassment

  • By Sharmila Dhal and Lubna Bagsair, Senior reporter and Staff Reporter
  • Published: 00:00 April 14, 2011
  • XPRESS

Dubai: Surgeons at Dubai Hospital have re-attached the penis of a 78-year-old Emirati after it was Bobbitised in a fit of rage by his 26-year-old Bangladeshi housemaid early this week.

"He is better now. He is conscious and coherent," a source at the hospital's Urology Ward told XPRESS without elaborating on the details of the surgery.

The maid, originally hired to look after the man, told police she used a kitchen knife to chop off her employer's organ as he had been sexually harassing her for many days. The Deira resident was bleeding profusely when he was rushed to Rashid Hospital on Monday morning. He was eventually referred to Dubai Hospital and was operated upon the same evening.

The term ‘Bobbitised' came into currency after a young US woman, Lorena Bobbitt, cut off her husband's genitals in 1993 to ward off unwanted advances. After the assault, Lorena drove away with the severed penis and threw it into a field. But when the severity of her action dawned on her, she called 911. Following an exhaustive search, the penis was located, packed in ice and brought to a hospital where John Bobbitt was being treated. It was re-attached after a nine-and-a-half hour operation.

It's not clear how long it took surgeons at Dubai Hospital to re-attach the penis, but a surgeon at a private clinic said phallic reconstruction surgery is an intricate job as it involves using skin tissues and soft bones from the patient's forearm and leg.

The nanny, initially charged with assault, is in police custody and her case has been referred to the prosecution.

Comments (9)

Share your views
  1. Added 14:04 April 14, 2011

    This is gross even though I think she did the right thing.

    Anonymous, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates

  2. Added 13:02 April 14, 2011

    It’s very sad! But what can a helpless maid do in such a situation?

    Anonymous, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

  3. Added 11:17 April 14, 2011

    The man is 78 years old and the housemaid’s initial reports never mentioned anything about “sexual harassment”, but stated that he had asked her for a massage. Even though this is not part of her job, her act is shocking!

    Anonymous, London, United Kingdom

  4. Added 10:43 April 14, 2011

    Funny story! I’ve added the word ‘Bobbitised’ to my dictionary.

    Anonymous, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

  5. Added 09:50 April 14, 2011

    The morale of the story is if a woman says ‘no’, she ‘means’ no.

    Mariam M., Dubai, United Arab Emirates

  6. Added 09:21 April 14, 2011

    News of the day!

    Hanif, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

  7. Added 09:19 April 14, 2011

    Why is the maid in custody? It is because she wanted to escape sexual harassment? Or is it because she refused her employer who thought he could own her body and soul because she was his maid. Several employers exploit maids to satisfy their desires... and at the end of the day walk away free. I am sure this old man has granddaughters who are of the maid’s age. What a shame and what an example we, as Muslims, are setting in this society! Very sad.

    Jamila, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates

  8. Added 09:05 April 14, 2011

    Bravo! It’s a very daring act by the maid! Let this be a lesson for all employers with similar mentality. They would now think twice before approaching any woman indecently.

    Sanil, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

  9. Added 01:29 April 14, 2011

    I really do not support the maid’s actions. However, this report would definitely have an impact on employers who are inhuman to their maids or housekeepers.

    Ashwin, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

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