Guard assaulted boy, 12, court told

DUBAI // A security guard sexually assaulted a 12-year-old student, hugging him and kissing him, a Dubai court heard today.

The Dubai Criminal Court of First Instance was told that on May 2, the 20-year-old MW, a Pakistani, touched the Iranian child against his will.

Prosecutors charged him with forceful sex assault.

"It didn't happen," MW told Judge Fahmy Mounir Fahmy.

The child told prosecutors that about 4pm on the day of the incident, he left Al Mawakib school in Al Barsha area. He tried to find a taxi home, but failed. Feeling thirsty, he walked into a nearby Dubai Municipality building for some water, he testified.

MW was at the reception desk and handed him a glass of water, then asked to sit next to him, the boy said.

MW then hugged him closer, kissed him on his left cheek and tried to kiss the other cheek before the boy broke free and ran back to his school, records show.

The school's security guard took him to the principal, who got him a taxi. He told his mother what had happened when he arrived home.

A verdict is expected on August 21.

salamir@thenational.ae