Khaleej Times

Teenager gropes female shopper, flashes finger

- Marie Nammour

dubai — A female shopper had to call the police after an 18-yearold youth allegedly groped her and flashed his finger.

The 24-year-old Chinese complainan­t said during investigat­ion that she first accepted the Iranian teenager’s apology after he touched her inappropri­ately and on purpose. But when he flashed his finger, she pressed charges against him.

The defendant faced in the Court of First Instance charges of sexual harassment and doing an indecent act in public, which he denied.

The incident took place on October 27 in Deira and was reported to Al Muraqqabat police station.

“I was walking with my friend in the shopping centre at around 8:35pm when I felt suddenly that someone groped me. I turned and saw it was the accused. I accepted his apology as he looked very young. But when he showed his finger inappropri­ately, I asked the security guard to apprehend him until I called the police,” the complainan­t said.

“There was enough space for him to pass without touching me. I am not sure about his intentions.”

She went to the police station to file a complaint.

The accused managed to get loose but he was caught and taken to Al Muraqqabat police station.

The complainan­t’s 25-year-old friend gave a similar statement to the prosecutor.

The accused admitted to the charges during investigat­ion.

Surveillan­ce camera photos were included in the probe. The trial will continue on December 14.

mary@khaleejtim­es.com

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