A woman was punched and slapped after trying to defend herself against an attacker who groped her in a Dubai street, a court heard.
The Nepalese woman, 25, shoved the man after he grabbed her buttocks as she walked in Al Rafaa, in the emirate, on March 7.
The Egyptian assailant, 30, allegedly tried to touch her again before launching his assault.
Members of the public came to the woman's aid after being alerted to her screams and managed to restrain the attacker while she called police.
Two police officers in the area quickly arrived on the scene to arrest the accused, Dubai Criminal Court was told.
"I was walking near a bank in Al Rafaa at about 9am when I felt a man touching my behind," the complainant told prosecutors.
"Two officers happened to be patrolling the area and passed by us at the time, so I signalled them and they arrested him."
During police questioning, the accused admitted to touching the woman's bottom, but denied kicking and slapping her.
He faced charges of sexual and physical assault at a hearing at Dubai Criminal Court held behind closed doors.
The case was adjourned until July 14.
