Worker gropes 7-year-old at Dubai shop, jailed

Dubai - During investigation, the accused admitted that he touched the victim in a bad way twice.

A 36-year-old man, accused of groping a seven-year-old girl, has been sentenced to six months in jail by a Dubai court.
He earlier denied a molestation charge at the Dubai Court of First Instance. The man was found guilty and will be deported after completion of his jail term.
Dubai prosecutors accused the Indian man, who is a construction worker, of taking advantage of the girl being away from her mother to touch her inappropriately. The incident happened on April 17 at a gifts' shop. A complaint was filed at Al Barsha police station following which the defendant has been detained.
During investigation, the accused admitted that he touched the victim in a bad way twice.
The girl's mother, a Moroccan housewife, said she was with her daughter and her younger son at the shop on April 17. "As I was busy shopping, my son went to the playing corner and my daughter went after him. Moments later, she came back looking scared."
The girl could not tell her mother right away. But then she pointed at the defendant who was standing near them and revealed to her mother that he had touched her twice.
Her father lodged a complaint after he learnt about the incident.
The girl was evaluated by a psychiatrist at the Family and Juvenile cases section at the public prosecution. A report on her mental state was then drawn up.
The defendant can appeal the ruling within 15 days from the issuance date.
mary@khaleejtimes.com

• Dubai