DUBAI // A chemistry teacher denied molesting a 17-year-old student in his classroom, Dubai Criminal Court heard.
Prosecutors said O N, 26, from Lebanon was in his classroom at a private school with Canadian pupil R H on October 12 this year.
“For one hour he was giving the lesson and I was writing down notes, then he started chatting with me and showing me some pictures of him with some other students which he said were taken on his birthday,” said the female student.
R H said the teacher asked her to take a picture with him, to which she said yes. “He told me I was like a sister to him then when I stood near to him for the picture, he kissed me on the cheek and touched my belly and back,” said the teenager.
R H said she felt upset and left. The next morning she informed the students’ affairs supervisor.
Canadian A R, 47, who works with the victim’s mother, told the court R H was crying when he picked her up from school on the day of the incident.
“After she told me about the incident, I spoke with the principal and asked to see the teacher but he said they fired him and requested that I don’t report the matter to police,” said A R, who reported the incident to police.
Prosecutors said the teacher claimed he was only joking with the girl. Pictures of several female students were found on his phone.
At Dubai Criminal Court O N entered a not guilty plea. “This absolutely did not happen,” said the teacher, whose bail request was denied by court.
The next hearing will be on December 20.
salamir@thenational.ae
