Man charged with kidnapping, raping girl

A Pakistani man allegedly sodomised an eight-year-old Bangladeshi girl, NK, a few days back, while the victim was clutching a copy of the Holy Quran.

The accused – 21-year-old MR, a visitor – however denied the charges in the Dubai Criminal Court yesterday. He had earlier admitted to the crime during his arrest by the police.

The court was told that the accused spotted the victim in Dubai's Hor Al Anz area while on her way to a Quran study centre with friends.

He was allegedly able to lure her with the promise of buying refreshments to distribute among the centre's pupils.

Deceived, the girl boarded his car and he drove her to a parking lot in a nearby building, where he allegedly sodomised her while she cried and held on to a copy of the Holy Quran.

The defendant allegedly threatened to cut the girl into pieces with a sword he had, if she resisted him or told anyone about the act.

The court charged MR with kidnapping, rape and issuing threat to life. He denied all charges.

Yesterday the public prosecution asked for more time to prepare and present their case against the accused and the court adjourned the matter to February 8.

It also ordered the appointment of a defence counsel for the accused and allowed him to keep a copy of the case file.

The public prosecutionwas also asked to inform prosecution witnesses, policemen Mohammed Sabt and Ahmed Murad, to attend the next session.

Earlier, in her testimony to the public prosecution, victim NK said she was standing near the Al Kholafaa Al Rashideen Centre for Quran Memorisation along with her fellow students when the defendant's car stopped nearby.

He rolled down the window and called out to them saying he would buy sweets and juice and would give Dh10 to those who accepted the treat.

The girl said she believed him and boarded the car, and he drove into the parking lot of a building in the area. He then moved to the back seat where she was sitting and told her to take off her clothes.

The girl said the accused threatened to hurt her if she spoke to anyone about the misdeed and dropped her back near the centre.

Later, after her parents lodged a complaint, the girl guided police to the location of the crime and gave a description of her attacker to the authorities.

Several suspects were rounded up and the girl identified the accused in an identification parade.

Policeman Ahmed Murad testified he arrested the defendant six hours after the incident, when he reportedly admitted to visiting the study centre in order to look for children to have sex with.

Policeman Mohammed Sabt testified the defendant admitted to the girl's kidnapping and rape.

A medical report confirmed injuries that pointed to sodomy. Also, DNA samples of hair taken from the car's backseat have matched the hair taken from the victim.


OF HANDBAGS AND HEROIN

- Arab national MA, 28, has denied attempting to steal a handbag.

He allegedly pulled the handbag from a woman's shoulder, causing her to fall and sustain an injury. He was caught and handed over to the police by a passerby. The case has been adjourned to January 28, when a verdict is expected.

- Four African visitors denied possessing heroin at the Dubai Criminal Court yesterday.

OL, SE, RK and EP were tried for possessing more than 5.6 kg of heroin. The four defendants attended yesterday's session. Samira Gargash, the first defendant's counsel, asked for time to study the case. The matter is adjourned to February 8.

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