COMMENT

The family of a man facing three years in jail in Dubai for touching a man’s hip while trying to avoid spilling his drink in a bar have hit out over his ordeal.

Graham and Patricia Harron, whose son Jamie appeared in court yesterday, say they have been living a daily “nightmare” since his arrest during a two-day stopover en route to his work in Afghanistan.

The couple say they have had no help from the UK embassy in Dubai and have urged British nationals to steer clear of the country in future in the wake of their son’s ordeal.

Although the electrician had expected to be arrested during his court appearance yesterday, he was ordered to remain in the city for future court hearings.

According to the campaign group Detained in Dubai, Harron, from Stirling, is the victim of a “cultural misunderstanding” which has cost him more than £30,000 in expenses and legal fees after being forced to stay in Dubai since the middle of July.

He was enjoying a night out with friends at the Rock Bottom bar, in the Tecom district

“The UK embassy has not done anything to help and seem to think it is absolutely fine for British nationals to be abused in this way”

GRAHAM HARRON