Dubai: A Pakistani assistant welder faces six months in jail for molesting a saleswoman. He denied the molestation charges, despite his previous claims that he had groped the Filipina by mistake.
The Dubai Court of First Instance on Tuesday jailed 36-year-old M.S. for six months after he was found guilty of molesting the 27-year-old saleswoman and stealing her mobile phone.
"The defendant will be deported after the completion of his jail term," Presiding Judge Al Saeed Mohammad Barghout said while pronouncing the judgment. "I am not a molester. I touched her breast by mistake. I didn't mean to do so," argued M.S. when he defended himself in court.
When asked what he meant by touching the woman by mistake, the defendant said: "While she walked out of the lift, I was putting my hand forward when I unintentionally touched her."
He pleaded guilty in stealing her phone.
Prosecutors accused M.S. of groping the woman and kissing her neck against her will. He was also charged with theft.
The Filipina testified that the incident occurred when she returned to her home in Al Muraqqabat around 11.30pm.
"I walked into the lift... suddenly the suspect walked in behind me. I got scared and turned back, wanting to walk out of the elevator. Suddenly he grabbed my arm and held me back to the wall ... he molested me and touched my private parts and then kissed my neck.
"I kicked him away from my body. But he continued groping me ... I kicked him really hard then I grabbed my phone to call the police. Then he snatched my mobile phone and ran away," she said.
The primary judgment remains subject to appeal within 15 days.
