Dubai: A vendor has been accused of groping a US Marine woman soldier while he fitted a scarf on her as she was touring the city with her colleagues.

The 47-year-old Indian vendor, S.A., was said to have touched the 21-year-old American female soldier inappropriately while she was present in his accessories and garment shop in January 2015.

Prosecutors charged the defendant with molestation.

The suspect entered an innocent plea when he showed up before the Dubai Court of First Instance on Tuesday.

“What happened then? Why did she accuse you?” presiding judge Mohammad Jamal asked the suspect in court.

“No, I didn’t. She did not come into the shop alone … they were a group of persons. The shop’s surveillance cameras clearly show that I did not grope her,” replied S.A.

The Marine testified to prosecutors that the incident happened when she and her colleagues were visiting tourist sites in Dubai.

“We walked in places that we were not familiar with. We walked into the shop to check it out. The suspect came and asked me to accompany him to the accessories’ section to see some items. He showed me a necklace, but I told him that it was not my style. He insisted that I try it on before he came and put it on my neck. I told him that I wouldn’t buy it because of its price … so he removed it. Then he walked me to the garment section and showed me a scarf. He said that I should try it on and, even before I could reply, he draped it on me … while doing so, he groped me. At first I thought it happened by mistake, but when he continued the inappropriate behaviour, I realised that he was molesting me.

“I moved away and asked him to take the scarf away …. I was so embarrassed and scared at the same time. I did not say a word because I wanted to avoid a scene. Then we left the shop. After the incident happened, I trembled a lot and told myself what an idiot I had been for not stopping him. I could not discuss what had happened with anybody … I isolated myself for three days … but when I couldn’t stand what had happened, I decided to tell my colleagues. Then they reported the matter to the police and our vessel sailed away. We returned in February and that was when the police summoned me to give my statement,” the Marine claimed to prosecutors.

A ruling will be heard on May 19.