Worker molests girl and tries to drag her away in Dubai

A carpenter, who was carrying some maintenance work outside a villa, allegedly sexually harassed a 9-year-old girl and tried to drag her away, a court heard.
The Court of First Instance was told the 31-year-old Bangladeshi worker was doing some painting work at the villa, which is an accommodation for hospital staff, when he spotted the girl playing outside. He groped and touched her inappropriately taking advantage that she was by herself.
However, the worker denied a molestation charge in court and claimed he only wanted to take her away from the nails and sharp tools.
The little girl was playing outside her parents place at around 11am on April 7 at a time when some workers were painting the villa's gate.
The defendant saw the girl and called her to get close to him. He hugged and touched her more than once inappropriately.
She screamed and got away from him.
When the accused was arrested the girl identified him, among other suspects, at the police station as the one who harassed her.
 The girl's mother, a 43-year-old Jordanian housewife, said she was at a nearby supermarket when she received a phone call from her daughter.
"She told me that a worker touched her. As I reached the villa gate my daughter came to me and pointed at a worker who was painting the gate saying that he did it".
The mother said that she tried to speak to the worker but she could not understand what he said.
She heard from her daughter at home that the man groped and touched her in a bad way and then tried to drag her behind the villa by force.
The girl's father said he came home around 2:30pm and saw her screaming and crying.
"She told me about the worker's behavior while showing me what he did. She said he hugged her and tried to drag her away and kiss her. But she pushed him away and ran".
The father then lodged a complaint with Al Rafaa police and the worker was arrested the next day.
A verdict is expected on August 31.
mary@khaleejtimes.com

• Dubai