Dubai: A waiter who tried to extort Dh8,000 from a policeman, with whom he had sex, by posting a photograph and message on Instagram that the policeman is gay has been jailed for two years.

The 29-year-old Filipino waiter had had a year-long affair with the policeman before he posted the latter’s photo in his police uniform on Instagram saying that he [policeman] is gay and enjoys having sex with men for money.

The waiter also posted on the faked Instagram account the policeman’s private mobile number and that he enjoyed bizarre behaviour with men in February.

The policeman’s friend notified him that he had spotted his photo in police uniform on Instagram.

The policeman and the waiter were both apprehended when the policeman went to complain that the Filipino defendant had blackmailed him.

The Dubai Court of First Instance convicted the Filipino of extortion and attempted blackmail, maligning and dishonouring the policeman via social media and having consensual sex with him.

The policeman was tried before the Dubai Misdemeanours Court for having consensual sex with the 29-year-old.

The Filipino confessed to all allegations levelled against him.

Presiding judge Urfan Omar said the accused will be deported following the completion of his punishment.

In his capacity as a victim, K.M. testified that he had been friends with the Filipino for a period of time before his friend informed him that he had seen his photo on Instagram.

“The defendant posted photos of my dad and me on social media. I went to lodge a police complaint … while driving there, they called me from work and asked me to return because a brigadier wanted to see me. Then I was arrested by the CID. During questioning, they showed me several photos and I explained to them that the waiter had posted them on Instagram … he had previously threatened me that he would. The accused did so because he wanted me to be his boyfriend and lover. He stole my personal photo from my Instagram account. He had my photo in the police uniform when I sent it to him a year ago. He wrote on my photo on Instagram that I am gay and enjoy bizarre sex,” K.M. claimed to prosecutors.

Monday’s ruling remains subject to appeal within 15 days.