DUBAI // A maid hit a salesman over the head with an iron after he sneaked into her room and tried to sexually assault her, a court heard.
In February this year, the 42-year-old Nepalese woman was at her employer’s villa in Al Baraha when the defendant, also from Nepal, called her phone.
“He called me and told me that he is coming to wash the cars, to which I said that it is late and no one was at home. He called me several times that night, but I ignored his calls,” said the victim.
At around midnight she heard the family’s dog barking and went to investigate.
“I looked around and saw my bedroom door open. Once inside I saw the defendant. He grabbed me by my hands and tried to lock my bedroom door.
“I picked up an iron and hit him on the head and ran away to the main house and hid,” said the woman
She called her employer’s son who searched for the defendant but could not find him. He then called the police.
At Dubai Criminal Court, the defendant confessed to a charge of sexual assault.
“She called me repeatedly that night around 11pm and told me to come over to the villa,” he said.
The next hearing is on April 20.
tzriqat@thenational.ae
The specs
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
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6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
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7. Limited time periods for audits
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8. Pillar 2 implementation
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9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
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