DUBAI // A secretary fought off a rape attempt by a labourer in the workplace, the Dubai Criminal Court heard on Monday.
Prosecutors said that at 9.15am on May 8 this year, Filipina R M, 40, arrived at work early to open up the office in Al Quoz.
“I was busy with the documents on my desk when the defendant came into my office without knocking on the door,” she said.
She said Pakistani M A, 22, started asking her questions but she could not understand him.
“I only heard the word school, so I told him to go away,” she said.
R M then claimed M A walked behind the table where she was sitting, grabbed her firmly around the neck and threw her to the ground.
He then pulled her hijab and pushed her under the table.
“I fought with him and screamed loudly,” she said.
RM said that MA was punching her and throttling her neck.
“He was hitting me hard and touching me, so I held a grip on his private parts, which made him scream in agony and then he got off me and ran away.”
The secretary chased her assailant to the street and screamed for help. Two men responded and apprehended the defendant.
M A was arrested by police and charged with sexual and physical assault.
Prosecutors said that he watched her arrive at the office, then when he saw she was alone he attacked her.
R M told the court she had been traumatised by the incident.
“I cant sleep since this happened and, when I do, I have nightmares,” she said.
“Now I freak out when any man comes into my office.”
MA denied that he molested her and said that he was asking her about the location of the Grand City Mall.
Police officer A S, 52, said: “We attended the scene and we found the women was hysterical and crying.
“M A said he was asking her about the Grand City Mall, but the mall is less than one kilometre away and the area is crowded, so he could have asked any man from outside the company,” he said.
A forensic report confirmed the woman suffered bruises on her neck, face, back, chest and legs.
The case continues.
salamir@thenational.ae
