Dubai resident jailed for raping woman at knifepoint loses appeal against life sentence

Salesman attacked woman in her Naif apartment and stole Dh200

The man will be deported after serving his term. AFP

An Indian salesman who followed a woman home and raped her at knifepoint had his life sentence upheld by Dubai Court of Appeal.

Dubai Criminal Court in January convicted the man of rape, theft and consuming alcohol without a licence and sentenced him to life in prison.

He appealed the verdict, but the Dubai Court of Appeal on Wednesday upheld the original sentence.

The man, 23, attacked his victim on February 16 last year at her flat in Naif. She had returned from putting her son on the school bus.

He placed a knife to the woman’s throat and forced her into her flat. He then dragged the woman, 39, from India, into the bedroom.

The woman was forced to take off her clothes while the defendant filmed her. He then raped her, stole Dh200 and left the flat.

The woman told her husband what happened and he called the police.

Two days later, officers tracked down and arrested the defendant who admitted raping the woman.

Life terms are usually 25 years and the man will be deported after serving it.