No traces of assault found: report

Dubai: No traces of blood or sperm were found on the clothes of the four-year-old Dubai schoolgirl allegedly sexually molested in a school bus, a forensics expert told a court on Wednesday as sordid details of the case emerged for the first time. Three Indian suspects - bus driver M.B., attendant J.T. and assistant V.S. - all charged with sexually assaulting a Modern High School pupil on November 11, 2010, pleaded not guilty before the Dubai Criminal Court of First Instance, though Public Prosecutor Ahmad Al Attar said the accused should receive maximum punishment due to the severity of the crime.

However, defence lawyer Samir Jaafar said: "There is no evidence to prove that the alleged incident occurred and we will prove that in the next hearing." He asked the court to grant bail to his clients.

The forensic expert, however, said any external groping may cause redness that goes in a couple of hours.

Records revealed that the suspects were transferred to police officer A.A.'s section for questioning after their arrest. J.T. had then admitted having joined the other suspects in molesting the girl. The next hearing is on March 23.