Man facing rape charge says sex was consensual

Dubai: A worker has denied he made a girl drunk before having sex with her against her will at his Al Rashidiya home, a court heard on Tuesday.

The Filipino worker claimed he was unaware the Filipina was a minor (under the age of 14) when he defended himself before the Dubai Court of First Instance.

Records showed the girl was under the influence of alcohol when sexual intercourse took place. The Public Prosecution charged the suspect, identified as R.R., with luring the girl to his flat where he reportedly served her juice, which was allegedly mixed with alcohol, before he had sex with her against her will.

According to the UAE penal code, anyone who has sex with a minor - under the age of 14 - is charged and prosecuted with rape even if it is consensual sex.

When the judge confronted the suspect with the charges, the latter denied raping the girl and claimed she was the one who filled and served the drink and she had consensual sex with him. R.R. maintained that she was happy following the intercourse.

Medical reports confirmed the girl had had sexual intercourse. Meanwhile, forensic reports confirmed the DNA traces matched those taken from the defendant.

The court will assign a lawyer to defend the suspect when it reconvenes next month.

According to the UAE penal code, anyone who has sex with a minor is charged and prosecuted with rape even if it is consensual sex.