• Home
• /
• UAE
• /
• Crime

UAE: Convicted child molester's life sentence annulled for lack of evidence

Ras Al Khaimah - The advocate added that his client did not abduct the victim.

The Ras Al Khaimah Court of Appeal has annulled a life sentence ruled against an Arab man, who was convicted by the lower court of molesting and abusing a child, for lack of evidence.

However, the same appellate court ordered the defendant to serve six months in jail for being found guilty of abducting the victim.

As per the sheet of indictment, the RAK public prosecution had charged the accused of kidnapping the victim after offering him a car lift.

“Instead, he pulled over in an empty and dark place, locked the car, and tried to molest the little boy,” the prosecutor told the court.

When the victim resisted, the suspect punched him, and attacked him with a knife, the prosecutor added.

“However, the boy managed to push the defendant back, get out of the car and flee with the help of his cousin, an eyewitness.”

Though the suspect denied the charges, the RAK Criminal Court found him guilty, and sentenced him to life in prison.

Being dissatisfied, the accused challenged the verdict before the higher court where the defence lawyer argued that there was no conclusive evidence submitted in the whole case proving that his client molested the complainant.

“The plaintiff’s claims are baseless and fabricated, while the eyewitness did not see or hear anything because the entire incident was inside the car of his client which was in a dark spot, and none could see into it.”

The advocate added that his client did not abduct the victim. “He was only giving him a lift to his house, as requested by the eyewitness, his cousin.”

He added that the brother of the victim had already waived off the charges before the prosecution. “This proves that all the victim’s claims are groundless and concocted,” he underlined, noting that his client refused to give the boy a lift in the beginning until his cousin persisted.

“The victim started bothering my client who warned him, stopped his car, and asked him to get out.”

Following a number of hearings, and in view of the defence lawyer’s pleading, the court cancelled the life sentence for lack of evidence, but ordered the defendant to serve six months in jail for being found guilty of abducting the victim.

reporters@khaleejtimes.com