Dubai: A man accused of groping a woman’s backside on a Dubai beach has claimed that he touched her by accident while trying to catch a ball, the Dubai Court of First Instance heard on Monday.
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The 23-year-old Egyptian carpenter was charged with sexual abuse at Umm Suqeim Beach last month after a 24-year-old Filipina accountant complained after being groped while swimming near the Burj Al Arab with her friends.
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“I was angry and pushed his hand away,” said the victim. “My friend went to speak with him but he didn’t answer and just kept laughing. I alerted Dubai Police who came and arrested him despite his attempts to flee,” she added.
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A police officer confirmed that the defendant tried to escape with a group of friends but once apprehended he confessed to touching the woman.
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“He was terrified and apologised to her,” said the officer. “He claimed that he was only trying to catch a ball and accidentally touched her thigh.”
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The trial reconvenes on June 23.