Dubai: Two suspects have vehemently denied burgling a flat, assaulting a housemaid, tying her up and leaving her locked in the bathroom.
The two defendants, a 20-year-old Indian student, C.S. and a 19-year-old British clerk, pleaded not guilty before the Dubai Court of First Instance yesterday.
Prosecutors charged them with entering the flat without the owner's permission, assaulting the Filipino housemaid — whom they tied up and locked in the bathroom, before burgling the flat.
When Presiding Judge Hamad Abdul Latif Abdul Jawad levelled the charges against them they replied: "No! Not guilty."
The Briton, S.S., told the judge he would hire a lawyer to defend him at the next hearing. Meanwhile, C.S.'s lawyer asked the court for an adjournment to review the court records before presenting the case.
Line-up
According to the charge sheet the defendants stole a car belonging to the apartment's owner and also took some personal belongings. They broke into the flat, assaulted the 23-year-old maid and locked her in the washroom after tying her arms with rope and wire which they bought for that purpose.
"On the day of the incident, the defendants forced their way into the house… they assaulted me and pulled me to the washroom where they left me tied up and covered me as well. They also asked me to remain silent," claimed the Filipino in her statement to prosecutors.
Records said she identified one of the defendants at the police line-up.
An Emirati policeman said the burglary happened at Arabian Ranches.
"Primary investigations led to the arrest of the two suspects who confessed to the charges during questioning," said the policeman. The trial continues.
