DUBAI // A carpenter who choked a maid with her hijab while he raped her was sentenced to life in prison this morning.
Pakistani MZ, 34, attacked the Ethiopian maid while she was alone at her sponsor's house, where he was also working, the Dubai Criminal Court heard.
On April 19 last year, the victim, identified as PH, 35, was at her sponsor's house while a number of workers were carrying out repairs.
The defendant knocked on the door to hand the maid some bags. She took them and shut the door but as she turned her back to return to the kitchen, the defendant entered and grabbed her by the neck.
"He pulled my hijab and continued pressing on my neck and then pushed me to the ground," said PH.
The carpenter ripped off PH's clothes and raped her in the living room, records show.
Prosecution records did not show when the maid reported the rape. However, forensics reports confirmed she had recently had forceful sexual intercourse. The defendant's DNA traces matched the evidence.
MZ was convicted of rape. He was not present in court last June to enter a plea.
The defendant will be deported after completing his prison term.
salamir@thenational.ae
