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Legal assistant gets 3 years jail in sexual harrassment case

Dubai - The woman said his first official visit soon turned into recurrent informal visits, and the legal assistant would offer her gifts and flowers to woo her

A lawyer's assistant has been found guilty of sexually harassing and molesting his client's wife.
The Egyptian, 39, has been sentenced to three years in jail on charges of molestation and trespassing by the Court of First Instance.
The incident took place in February 24, 2014. The complainant, a 32-year-old Algerian, said that the accused worked for an Egyptian lawyer, hired by her husband over a bounced cheque case. "He was first sent to our house in Mirdif to accompany me and my children to the public prosecution. My husband was about to be released from jail on bond procedures".
But the woman claimed the first official visit soon turned into recurrent informal visits, during which the legal assistant would offer her gifts and flowers, and toys for her kids. "I told him to stop harassing and bothering me because I am a married woman. He, however, said that I am pretty and I had to forget about my husband as he would be serving a long jail term," she stated.
The assistant also asked asked her out on a Valentine's Day date.
The housewife refrained from telling her husband about the man's behaviour, for fear it would only cause trouble. "I had to change my personal mobile and home numbers because of his constant harassment," she said.
One day, while her husband was in Abu Dhabi, the accused arrived at their flat. "He barged inside while touching, groping and hugging me," she claimed.
Trying to scare the defendant away with a key holder that had a small-sized knife, she hurt herself. "I hurt my shoulder. He then ran away after I screamed loudly," she said.
The Indian building watchman, 45, confirmed seeing the accused running out looking scared, 20 minutes after he visited the flat. His eyeglasses dropped in the woman's flat was used as evidence.
As per the court's ruling, which remains subject to appeal, the legal assistant will be deported after completing his jail term.
mary@khaleejtimes.com