Barber jailed for molesting hearing-impaired boy

dubai — A 40-year-old barber, who molested a 14-year-old hearing-impaired teenager boy, was sentenced to three months in jail on Tuesday.

The Indian man, who was on a visit visa, denied the charge earlier in the Court of First Instance. However, he was found guilty and will be deported after completing his jail term.

Public prosecution records show that the incident happened on September 26, last year, when he took advantage of the Emirati victim’s condition to touch him inappropriately.

“At around 8pm, I went with my brother who suffered from hearing and speaking difficulties to a barbershop in Jumeirah. I asked one of the workers there to cut my brother’s hair while I waited away,” said the boy’s 30-year-old brother.

“He finished about half an hour later and when we reached home, my brother told me in sign language that the barber molested him. He told me the barber touched his shoulder, thigh and chest.” The witness then took his younger brother back to the shop and confronted the barber who then denied the accusations. But the worker was arrested by the police in the shop.

A policeman, who questioned the defendant, quoted him as admitting to molesting the boy after seeing he had a special condition.

The barber can appeal the ruling within 15 days. The public prosecution may also file an appeal against it, seeking harsher punishment.