Dubai warns family to stay away

A BRITISH man facing three years in jail for touching another man in a Dubai bar has recorded an emotional video message.

Jamie Harron, 27, was sentenced separately to 30 days for being drunk and remains trapped in Dubai while on bail for a public indecency charge.

In the video, the electrician thanks people around the world for their support and says all he wants “is to be back in Scotland with my friends and family, sleeping safe in my own bed”.

Mr Harron admits placing his hand briefly on a man’s hip at the bar in July, but says he was trying to avoid bumping into him or spilling his drinks. He denies making any inappropriate gestures.

Police arrived half an hour after the encounter and Mr Harron was charged with public indecency and spent five days in prison.

The man whose hip he touched, Dubai-based German businessman Emad Tabaza, reportedly told police the tourist had “repeatedly” touched him while “very drunk”.

Mr Tabaza withdrew his complaint after reportedly learning of the punishment Mr Harron was facing, but UAE officials still decided to prosecute.

It has emerged Mr Harron’s parents have been warned by their son’s legal team they could be arrested if they visit him in the UAE, because they have publicly criticised authorities.