DUBAI // An unemployed man followed an flight attendant home before breaking into her apartment and attempting to rape her, a court heard.
P J, 27, from Sierra Leone, denied charges of attempted rape, robbery and drinking alcohol without a license, the Dubai Criminal Court was told.
“No, I did not,” P J responded to every charge.
Prosecutors said that Estonian Q R, 26, had finished work and was returning to her flat in Al Qusais on the night of January 24 this year when she saw someone following her. “I first noticed him near the lift of the building where I live then I saw him following me,” said the woman.
She said that P J knocked on her door and pushed it open before he took her by surprise and dragged her to the bedroom. He ripped off her clothes and tried to rape her. The woman screamed for help as she resisted.
P J then ran away, stealing Dh200 from her purse on his way.
Q R called police. An examination confirmed her injuries were consistent with her story. She had bite marks on her right hand as well as a number of scratches and bruises.
DNA samples taken from under her nails were linked to P J, who was also seen on security camera footage as he followed the woman to her flat.
The next hearing will be on April 8.
salamir@thenational.ae
