With a hug from his mum
‘I’ve lost all my savings. I didn’t see light at the end of the tunnel’
A Cambusbarron man who faced jail in Dubai for touching a man’s hip in a bar has was welcomed back home with a hug from his mum.
Jamie Harron (27), had been trapped in the Arab state since July after he was arrested for public indecency and had his passport confiscated pending court action.
On Sunday, he was handed a three-month prison sentence.
But, just 48 hours later, he was reunited with his worried family back in Scotland after his sentence was quashed.
A relieved Mr Harron was all smiles as he touched down at Glasgow Airport on Tuesday evening. Mr Harron’s mum, Patricia, was waiting and made her way through the crowded airport to welcome her son home.
Mr Harron’s father Graham and sister, Jordan, joined his mum as they embraced him on his return.
Mr Harron was freed after the Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, stepped in and nullified his sentence.
The Observer reported on Wednesday how Mr Harron’s family were shocked to hear of his sentence, and were even more stunned to learn he was to be freed less than 24 hours later.
On arriving back on Scottish soil, Mr Harron said it was “really good” to be home and expressed surprised at having his sentenced thrown out.
He described his experience in the UAE as a “shambles” and described the businessman who had made the complaint against as being “on a power trip. There was just no organisation.
“I didn’t see light at the end of the tunnel, if I’m honest.”
Mr Harron was forced to fork out over £30,000 from his savings during the legal battle.
He added: “I’ve spent the last few months sleeping on my mate’s couch. “I lost all my savings. Everything I had.” Mr Harron, an electrician, had been working in Afghanistan and had been on a two-day stopover in Dubai when his ordeal began.
He insisted he had been holding a drink while moving through a crowded bar and had held a hand in front of him to avoid spilling it when he touched the man’s hip.
Businessman Emad Tabaza later withdrew his complaint. Mr Harron was also sentenced to 30 days in prison for making a rude gesture.
Chief executive, Radha Stirling, of campaign group Detained in Dubai which worked to help Jamie, said: “(The case) highlights the urgent need for judicial reform in the country but it is also a hopeful sign that the UAE’s leadership possesses the will and vision to pursue such reforms in the future.”