Soldier has rape sentence reduced at Dubai appeals court

The Emirati raped his 29-year-old Filipina maid, who then visited her consulate, a labour office and a hospital before finally getting help at a police station.

DUBAI // An Armed Forces soldier had his seven-year sentence for raping his maid cut to one at Dubai Court of Appeal on Sunday morning.

Emirati SA, 37, had at Dubai Criminal Court in April denied raping his Filipino maid, M, before being found guilty.

That trial was told that he returned home at about 3pm on November 21 last year and gave the maid his uniform to wash.

“He came back a few minutes later and asked me if anyone else was at the house. When I said no, he grabbed me from my arm, taking me to his room,” she said.

The 29-year-old victim screamed for help and begged him to let her go. He raped her and then she ran and locked herself in a toilet.

“He showered then came to apologise to me in English,” said M.

The maid waited until he was gone then sneaked out of the house and took a bus to the Philippines Consulate, where she told them of the incident.

M said the consulate did not help her and sent her to the labour office that brought her to the country.

The labour office then sent her to Rashid Hospital but she was denied a medical check and told to go and file a report at a police station first.

Police major AA, 35, said that after the woman reported the incident at Al Qusais police station, a patrol was sent to the man’s house in Oud Al Mutainah but he refused to open the door.

“We obtained a prosecution approval then one officer climbed the wall and arrested the defendant,” said AA.

DNA tests matched samples from the defendant found on the woman’s body.

No information was given for the reason for the sentence reduction.

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