DUBAI // A 40-year-old driver denied ripping off a man’s shirt and trousers and trying to sexually assault him, telling the Dubai Criminal Court of First Instance they were merely fighting.
SZ, from Pakistan, is charged with sexual assault. Prosecutors say he approached
the victim LP, 21, on the roof of their labour accommodation in Jebel Ali and tried to persuade him to touch him inappropriately.
LP, 21, from Nepal, testified that on December 30, he went to the roof to have a smoke. He met SZ, who he said was drunk. After talking for a while, he tried to get down from the roof but SK shut the door and grabbed his arm, he said.
LP added that SZ asked him to touch him but he refused repeatedly. At that point, SZ tore LP's shirt and trousers, leaving him part-naked, prosecutors said.
LP said he pushed away SZ and ran. He then told
JK, a storekeeper, who called the police.
SZ told investigators he had gone to the roof to check a TV antenna and had a fight with LP.
A verdict is expected on March 27.
salamir@thenational.ae
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