Dubai: A worker has been accused of molesting a 13-year-old boy at his father’s garage while the latter was preparing tea during Ramadan.
The 33-year-old Iranian worker was in the garage of the Iranian boy’s father when he groped the juvenile in June.
Prosecutors charged the 33-year-old with molesting a minor.
The suspect pleaded not guilty and strongly refuted the molestation charge when he defended himself before the Dubai Court of First Instance on Tuesday.
According to the charge sheet, prosecutors said the suspect took advantage of the father’s absence and groped the boy without his consent.
“I did not grope him … I patted his back and did not have any criminal intent,” the suspect told presiding judge Mohammad Jamal.
He further claimed before the presiding judge that he was not referred to the public prosecution for questioning.
The 13-year-old testified to prosecutors that his father was busy preparing tea during Ramadan when the suspect groped him. “As soon as my father went to make tea, the suspect groped me. My father witnessed what he had done and the suspect’s lewd behaviour made me feel helpless and confused,” the boy claimed to prosecutors.
The father testified to prosecutors that the incident happened when he went to prepare tea.
“Once I returned, I saw the suspect’s hand on my son. My son was emotionally distressed after what happened. I haven’t been able to sleep or work properly,” the father claimed to prosecutors.
Presiding judge Jamal will hand out a judgement on January 11.
