Painter denies committing sex act while shopping in Dubai, court hears

Egyptian charged at a Dubai court over touching a woman's bottom and pleasuring himself at busy store.

DUBAI // A 28-year-old painter denied pleasuring himself while shopping at Carrefour, Dubai Criminal Court heard on Thursday.

Egyptian MA was told by the court that there is video evidence of him committing the indecent act but he still strongly denied the charge, saying “it did not happen”.

He is facing two charges — one of molestation after he was caught on camera touching a woman’s bottom near the cashier desk and one of committing a publicly indecent act.

Prosecutors said that he committed the indecent act several times at the Mall of the Emirates supermarket before he was spotted and reported to police.

A surveillance camera operator at the supermarket said he grew suspicious of the man when he saw him standing near areas with lots of women. He watched him and later, at about 6pm on February 5, he was caught touching the woman’s behind.

The woman was seen on camera turning her head at him and saying something but she did not lodge a complaint with police; security guards did.

He awaits a verdict on May 5.