Policeman handed life sentence for deceiving and raping tourist in UAE

Dubai: A man was given a life sentence for kidnapping a Japanese holidaymaker and raping her while she went on a sightseeing tour in Hatta.

Wednesday’s ruling sends out a strong message that law enforcement officers will not spare any effort to prosecute such criminals, according to Senior Chief Prosecutor Sami Al Shamsi.

Dubai Court of First Instance’s Presiding Judge Maher Salama Al Mahdi Wednesday jailed the 25-year-old Emirati man, S.B., for life.

“The UAE is a haven of security and safety and home to tourists from all over the world due to its tourist facilities and shopping malls. However tourists and vacationers are also called to take all precautions in dealing with strangers to ensure their safety,” said Al Shamsi.

Prosecutors accused S.B., who is a policeman, of kidnapping with deception the 24-year-old Japanese tourist when he lured her into his car and offered to take her to tourist sites in Hatta.

In denial

Then he drove off to a deserted area and stopped his vehicle in an uninhabited location where he used force while raping M.F, 24.

Senior Chief Prosecutor Al Shamsi, who is head of Bur Dubai Prosecution, told Gulf News Wednesday: “This is a very major and serious case. We flew the woman from Japan and took her statement because the defendant denied the charges from start. The Criminal Procedures Law allows us to bring in the victim and hear the statement because the defendant had denied his charges and this a big case… it is not a misdemeanour.”

According to the arraignment sheet, prosecutors charged S.B. with attempt to rape, rape, kidnap with deception and threatening to kill the tourist.  

In a media statement issued Wednesday, Al Shamsi said S.B.’s DNA matched with those traces that were lifted from the woman’s body when she was examined by forensic doctors.

Gravity of crime

“Bur Dubai Prosecution insisted on hearing the woman’s statement… so we flew her in at our own expense and took her statement. Since the incident took place, we were very keen to speed up the litigation process due to the gravity of the crime.

“The evidence which we submitted along with the prosecution witnesses’ statements and forensic reports has helped the Court of First Instance reach Wednesday’s life sentence,” said Al Shamsi. 

During the trial the defendant claimed that the tourist initiated the sexual activity while he showed her around the dams in Hatta Valley.

“She stopped me in the middle of the road. She asked me in English, which I don’t understand very well, to drive her to the Heritage Village. Then she jumped into the front seat. She carried a tourist guidebook… she flipped the pages and pointed at the photos of Hatta canyon and dams. She wanted me to take her there.

“When we reached the spot, her behaviour changed. She came beside me and hugged me then took a photo for both of us. Then she kissed me on my cheek. When we went back to the car she continued…” said the accused.

M.F. told prosecutors that she took a public bus to visit Hatta Heritage Village. The defendant offered to drive her around then he raped her.

M.F. reported the incident to the Japanese Consulate, who in turn informed the police.

Investigations led to the arrest of the suspect based on M.F.’s description.

Wednesday’s judgment remains subject to appeal within 15 days.