School doubts girl molested

SHARJAH // School chiefs cast doubt yesterday on allegations that a seven-year-old girl was sexually assaulted on a school bus.

"She was never alone on the bus and there were other children travelling with her," an official from the school's management board said. "We are waiting for the police investigations to be completed to know the truth."

The parents of the girl - originally said to be 4 but listed in police and hospital records as 7 - made the allegation last week.

Sharjah Police confirmed they were questioning a 35-year-old bus conductor in connection with the alleged sexual assault of a schoolgirl. He is in custody and the driver of the bus has been called in for questioning.

The school board member said: "We strongly believe that circumstances and documents presented to the police do not match the claims made by the parents that their daughter was molested."

He said one the school's human-resources officials had visited the conductor at the police station. "He said he is innocent and would not dream of doing such an act. But if the investigations prove that he is the culprit, then the school will not defend him."

The official said the school had tried contacting the parents but they did not answer calls.

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