Man denies charges of trying to force woman into prostitution

Dubai: A driver has denied charges of forcing a penniless woman into prostitution, before a court.

The woman claimed she was brought here to work as a housemaid for an Emirati family.

The 36-year-old Indian driver, M.S., denied the charges before Dubai Court of First Instance, which earlier sentenced his 32-year-old compatriot housewife, K.M., to three years in jail for beating and forcing the 30-year-old victim, S.N., to work in the sex industry.

M.S., who was at large, was arrested and referred to court.

S.N. said she was taken from the airport directly to a flat on the day she arrived in October. "M.S. claimed that he worked as a driver for my local sponsor. He drove me to a flat where I was kept until K.M. said she would take me to my sponsor. I didn't feel comfortable because there were three other girls.

Duped

"On that evening, K.M. told me that I would be sleeping with men. I refused, cried and begged her to repatriate me or send me to my Emirati sponsor. K.M. said I had to pay her Rs300,000 [Dh27,799] if I wanted to return to my country," said the victim.

"The next day I met a man wearing national dress who spoke fluently in an Indian language.

"The man who I was told would be my sponsor had an Indian woman with him. M.S. drove us to a flat where they asked me to enter, but I refused. He drove me back to the flat of K.M. who beat me before I managed to run away and report to the police," said S.N.

K.M. will be deported after serving her jail term. M.S.'s verdict will be heard soon.