Worker loses appeal against 3-year term for sexual assault

dubai — A 33-year-old man, convicted of sexually assaulting a car washer after luring him inside his car, has lost his appeal against a three-year prison term.

The Pakistani worker was under the influence of alcohol when he slapped his countryman and hit him on his back before pushing him to the back seat of his car where he forced himself on him.

He pleaded not guilty all along his trial to the sexual assault charge, claiming it was consensual.

On June 28, the Dubai Court of First Instance sentenced him to be deported after serving a threeyear jail term (on account of sexual assault) and another one month imprisonment for consuming alcohol without a licence. The Court of Appeals upheld the same ruling.

The incident took place on December 30, 2017, and was reported at Al Rashidiya police station.

The 19-year-old complainant said he was washing cars in the Greek cluster, International City, at 10.20pm when the defendant stopped his car near him. “He grabbed me by my hand and pulled me inside his car. He slapped me while asking me to let him have sex with me. As I refused, he drove to a dark location where he pushed me to the back seat and sexually assaulted me.”

The complainant told the prosecutor the defendant dropped him back to where he picked him up after giving him his mobile number telling him to call him whenever he needed anything. He paid him Dh20 to wash his car and left later.

At 10pm the next day, the accused tried to lure the car washer again inside his car. “I knew he would repeat what he had done so I ran from him. I told my friend about him and when my cousin knew about it, he called the police,” the 19-year-old recounted.

The police instructed the car washer to call the defendant and invite him to meet him at the same location. The arrest was made then.

A policeman said the accused denied during interrogation the charge of sexually assaulting the complainant claiming it was consensual sex for which the latter was paid Dh20.

The defendant’s car was seized and sent to the police crime lab for evidence.

A lab report showed the defendant’s DNA traces were found on the complainant’s body. The convict has the right to challenge the ruling within 30 days at the Court of Cassation.

As I refused, he drove to a dark location where he pushed me to the back seat and sexually assaulted me.” Complainant, 19-year-old

Dh20 Money the accused gave to the victim after sexual assault