Cook who stripped in front of job seeker jailed

DUBAI // A cook who stripped off his clothes in front of a female job seeker was today sentenced to three months in prison.

MN, a 34-year-old Syrian, met JS, a 27-year-old Filipina, at the hotel restaurant where he worked on November 10 when she sought his help in finding a job.

The Filipina told the Dubai Criminal Court of First Instance that two days after the meeting the cook called her at about 11pm and invited her out. He then asked her to accompany him to his home in Al Riqqa to check her employment papers.

"I was surprised that he locked the door then took off his clothes," she told prosecutors.

The cook then kissed her and tried to force her to lay down on the bed but she pushed him away and threatened to scream for help. "It was then that he opened the door and let me out," she told the court.

The cook denied a charge of sexual assault when he appeared in court in February.

He will be deported following his prison term.

salamir@thenational.ae