DUBAI // A journalist accused of molesting a woman as she loaded her trolley at a supermarket was sentenced to three months in jail by Dubai Criminal Court on Monday morning.
Egyptian A A, 31, denied a charge of molestation at a hearing last month. Prosecutors said that during Ramadan this year, on July 12, N A, 31, from Malaysia, was shopping at a Choithrams supermarket at 10.30pm when the defendant molested her.
“I was with my children and reached for some eggs. Then, as I was bending to place them in my trolley, a man squeezed on my behind and when I turned around calling at him, he just did not care and continued walking away from me,” she said.
N A said she chased and stopped him. “I asked him why would he do that in the Holy Month. He said he was sorry and that it happened by mistake. I told him I will call police so he left the place but as I was leaving the shop I saw him apprehended outside.”
The journalist told the court he had no reason to molest her.
“I did not do that, why would I? I work in a good position and in a good place and I am happily married. Why would I do such thing and jeopardize losing my future?”
He will be deported after completion of his jail term.
salamir@thenational.ae
