A hug from mum and Dubai jail hell is over
Jamie’s joy as he flies into Glasgow
A SCOT sentenced to three months in jail for touching a man’s hip in a Dubai bar arrived back in Scotland last night – to a hug from his mum.
Relieved Jamie Harron, 27, smiled as he walked through the arrivals gate at Glasgow airport before mum Patricia raced through waiting crowds to throw her arms around him.
She was joined by dad Graham and sister Jordan as the relieved family welcomed Jamie home.
He was unexpectedly allowed to leave the United Arab Emirates after the sentence handed out to him on Sunday was dismissed by Dubai’s ruler Sheikh Mohammed on Monday.
Jamie, from Stirling, said: “I still can’t believe what happened. Even now I’m home I still can’t believe it.”
Jamie said it was “really good” to be home and said he was surprised at having his sentence thrown out.
He had been working in Afghanistan as an electrician and was on a stopover in the UAE when he was arrested in July.
Jamie insisted he had touched businessman Emad Tabaza’s hip to avoid spilling a drink he was holding while moving through a crowded bar.
But Tabaza complained and Jamie was arrested and charged with public indecency.
Jamie was released on bail and his passport was confiscated, which led to him losing his job.
Last night, he said his experience in Dubai was “a shambles” and claimed Tabaza was “on a power trip”.
He added: “There was just no organisation.
“I didn’t see light at the end of the tunnel, if I’m honest.”
Jamie said he had lost more than £30,000 of his savings over the ordeal.
He said: “I’ve spent the last few months sleeping on my mate’s couch.
“I lost all my savings. Everything I had.”