Dubai: A vendor has been cleared of groping a female US Marine while he fitted a scarf on her as she was touring the city with her colleagues.
Citing lack of sufficient evidence, the Dubai Court of First Instance acquitted the 47-year-old Indian vendor, S.A., of touching the American soldier inappropriately while she was in his shop in January 2015.
The suspect entered a not guilty plea contending that he did not do anything to the woman.
When asked by presiding judge Mohammad Jamal why the woman had complained, the vendor explained: “She came to the shop with a group. The surveillance cameras clearly show that I did not grope her.”
The Marine alleged to prosecutors that the incident happened when she and her colleagues were visiting tourist sites in Dubai.
“We walked into the shop to check it out. The suspect 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. When he insisted that I try it, I said I wouldn’t buy it because of its price. 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 he was molesting me.
“I 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. After we left the shop, I trembled a lot and told myself what an idiot I had been for not stopping him. 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 set sail. We returned in February and that was when the police summoned me to give my statement,” the Marine claimed to prosecutors.
Tuesday’s ruling remains subject to appeal within 15 days.
