Tailor gets jail term for molesting Dubai co-worker

Dubai: A tailor was jailed for two years after a court convicted him of molesting his co-worker after he tripped her in the kitchen where she was resting.

The Dubai Court of First Instance jailed the 28-year-old Pakistani defendant, M.A., for two years for assaulting and sexually molesting his Filipina co-worker.

"The accused will be deported following the completion of his jail term," said the judge upon pronouncing Sunday's judgment.

Prosecutors said M.A. assaulted his 40-year-old co-worker, M.F., then molested her in the embroidery factory where they worked.

"I am not guilty. I did not molest her," argued M.A. when he defended himself.

Prosecutors said the accused followed M.F. to the kitchen where she was resting. He tripped her in attempt to prevent her from leaving the kitchen.

Then he groped her private parts, and when she tried walk out of the kitchen, he blocked her way. Records said when M.F. fell on the floor, M.A. sat on her back and muzzled her. M.F. grabbed a bottle and threw it on his face before she managed to free herself.

The Filipina testified that M.A. repeatedly whispered in her ear "I want you" before this incident happened.

"I was resting at the benches in the kitchen. He came behind me…and suddenly put his arm on my leg and told me that he wanted me. I understood that he wanted to have sex with me. I kicked him and tried to exit. He beat me and groped my private parts three times. He put his hand strongly on my mouth and injured my lips. I bit his hand and threw him with a bottle. He got scared and moved away. Immediately I opened the window and cried for help. I told my boss what happened. Although he saw me bleeding, my boss asked me not to report the police and paid me Dh50 to go home," M.F. claimed to prosecutors.

Records said the co-worker informed the police. The defendant was arrested later.

The primary judgment remains subject to appeal within 15 days.