10-year sentence for rape, home invasion upheld

DUBAI // The conviction of an Iranian office assistant, sentenced to 10 years for breaking into a woman's home and raping her, was upheld today in the Dubai Court of Appeal.

The 36-year-old SA was drunk during the incident in February. He was convicted of rape, trespassing and consuming liquor.

The Indian victim, a service consultant, told prosecutors SA rang her doorbell about 4am. She said she looked out the peephole and thought SA was her building's watchman, so she opened the door.

SA walked into her apartment, locked the door behind him and assaulted her.

She tried to scream, but he silenced her. SA undressed her and raped her twice, despite repeated pleas, then asked for her mobile number.

When she refused, he gave her his mobile number instead. When he left, she called police.

The Dubai Police forensics lab confirmed that SA's DNA was found at the scene.

SA will be deported after serving his prison term.

salamir@thenational.ae