Dubai tourist to be jailed for slapping man on his rear

Dubai - The British tourist had earlier denied the charge, saying it happened by mistake.

A British tourist, on trial for an indecent act in public and intentionally slapping a man on his rear in a packed bar, was sentenced to three months in jail on Sunday.

The 27-year-old man had earlier denied the charge in the Court of First Instance, claiming it happened by mistake in the busy bar. He said he was just trying to avoid spilling his drink when he touched the other man by accident.

However, the court found him guilty and ordered his deportation following the completion of his jail term.

The complainant, a 47-year-old Arab manager with a German passport, said he was with his friends at a bar at a hotel in Al Barsha when the accused came to them and intentionally slapped him in an inappropriate way. "He looked drunk. He just laughed when I asked him why he did that. And before the police arrived he flashed his middle finger."

A 51-year-old Jordanian businessman said he was with the complainant and other friends when the accused touched him in a vulgar way. "My friend was irritated by that and we could see the other man was drunk."

A British mechanic, 37, said he was with the defendant when the latter's arm touched the complainant's by accident. "He then touched him to say he was sorry."

It is believed the tourist was in Dubai in July for a few days only when he was charged in the case.