DUBAI // A student molested a hairdresser after following her down the street, a court was told.
In August, this year the 19-year-old defendant, who holds a Comoros Island passport, and two unidentified individuals followed a 23-year-old Filipina in Al Satwa before grabbing her bottom.
“I was walking near the bus station when suddenly I felt someone grabbing my behind, I was startled, looked behind and started screaming at the defendant. He then ran away with his friends. I tried to catch him with the help of a friend who was with me,” said the woman.
Her friend, also a hairdresser, said the defendant tried to kick them.
“When we caught up with them, the defendant and another individual with him tried to kick me and her, but we evaded their kicks,” said the 33-year-old Filipina.
The two women identified the 19-year-old from a line-up at the police station.
At Dubai Criminal Court, the student denied a charge of sexual assault. “I touched her by mistake,” he said.
The next hearing is set on January 12.
tzriqat@thenational.ae