Scotsman on Dubai charge was ‘avoiding spilling drink’

A SCOT facing a three-year jail sentence in Dubai after putting his hand on a man in a bar so he did not “bump and spill drinks”, has appeared in court.

The campaign group Detained in Dubai said Jamie Harron, 27, expected to be arrested at the hearing yesterday for failing to appear at a previous court date, which the group claimed was moved without notification. The electrician was not arrested but was told to remain in the city for future hearings.

His representatives said legal troubles began after his arrest for alleged public indecency and drinking alcohol at the Rock Bottom Bar on July 15.

He is said to have been moving through the crowded bar holding a drink, with his hand in front of him to avoid spillage, when he “touched a man on his hip to avoid impact”.

Detained in Dubai said he was then locked up for five days in Al Barsha prison, before being released on bail with his passport confiscated.

Mr Harron, from Stirling, had been working in Afghanistan and was on a two-day stopover in Dubai when the incident happened. He is said to have lost his job and has spent more than £30,000 in expenses and legal fees.

Radha Stirling, chief executive of Detained in Dubai, said: “Jamie is relieved he wasn’t arrested [at the latest hearing]. It was expected that he would have to spend some time in prison.”

She said a further court date was expected in about two weeks, although no firm date has yet been set and Mr Harron expects the court process to be “drawn out”.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office said it was providing consular assistance on the matter.