School bus driver charged with rape of girl

ABU DHABI // A 14-year-old Brazilian girl has been charged with consensual sex and a 28-year-old Pakistani school bus driver charged with rape after her parents reported she had been assaulted. M L, a pupil, and the driver at her school, M H, appeared before the Abu Dhabi Criminal Court of First Instance this week. On April 4, M H went to M L's flat when her parents were in Dubai, prosecutors said. What happened in the flat is disputed. M L testified that the man raped her and M H told the court she invited him to her flat and seduced him. Even if the girl is found guilty of consensual sex, M H would still be charged with statuary rape, because the girl is younger than 18, the age of consent. The girl has been released on bail and came to court with her parents. The driver remains in police custody. hhassan@thenational.ae