Bus driver denies molesting woman

Dubai: A public bus driver, who was charged with groping a woman and trying to kiss her yesterday denied the charges.

Prosecutors charged the 35-year-old Egyptian, M.M., a driver for the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) of molesting the 32-year-old Filipina while he was dropping her off at Dubai Investment Park (DIP).

"Not at all. That did not take place. I am innocent," said M.M. when he defended himself before the Dubai Court of First Instance yesterday. The suspect presented a written defence and asked the court to acquit him. The plaintiff, J.A., testified that the incident happened when she boarded an RTA bus around 9am.

"The bus driver dropped a Filipino and I became the last passenger on board. When the bus reached DIP's main gate, I asked the driver to open the door so I could go down. He told me to give him a kiss if I wanted him to open the door… I refused and tried to open the door myself. He came towards me and touched my breast and behind. Although I scolded him, he insisted that I kiss him. When I warned him that I would call the police, he opened the door and let me go," the Filipina said.

An Emirati officer at the RTA's investigation and follow-up unit confirmed that J.A. had complained against M.M. She claimed to the officer that the driver asked her to kiss him. When the driver came close to her to kiss her, she ran inside the bus and tried to get off.

A verdict will be issued on June 19.