DUBAI// A cook has appeared in court charged with molesting an 11-year-old boy at a cafeteria in Naif.
The Bangladeshi victim was on his way to school at 5.45am on September 26 when he was stopped by the 23-year-old Pakistani defendant.
“He insisted that I eat some food in the cafeteria although I told him I was late for school,” said the boy. “Suddenly he untied my belt, lowered my pants and touched me. I screamed at him for doing that. He then touched my behind and kissed me.
“He threatened that he will distribute my picture if I don’t stay longer, but I promised him that I will come back the next day,” said the boy, who left the cafeteria and rushed home.
“My son came back and he was shaking from fear,” said his 44-year-old father. “He told me what happened to him and I reported the incident to the police.”
At Dubai Criminal Court, the cook denied charges of molestation, issuing threats, and invasion of privacy.
The next hearing will be on December 14.
tzriqat@thenational.ae