DUBAI // DNA results have shown that a hotel worker accused of raping a 13-year-old girl last year is the father of her baby, a source close to the case has said. Dubai Public Prosecution has charged the Filipino suspect, identified as RA, 27, with raping the Filipina student, identified as AO, and also with drinking alcohol.
"The Dubai Public Prosecution had established that the girl was 13 years old and considered a minor at the time of the incident," the source said. "DNA test results show RA is the baby's father." RA's drinking charge was referred to the courts on Sunday, although a hearing at the Dubai Court of Misdemeanour has not yet been set. The criminal case regarding the rape charge remains with the registry department of the public prosecution.
"Since rape is considered a heinous crime, it usually takes a long time before a suspect is referred to the court for trial," explained the source. The rape is alleged to have happened on Sept 21 2007, four days before AO's 14th birthday, although she did not file a report until almost a year later, on Aug 27. Prosecutors began their investigation on Aug 31. RA, who denied the rape charge and claimed after he was arrested that the encounter was consensual, remains in jail. He has admitted to consuming alcohol.
The girl, who gave birth to a boy in May, alleged that RA slipped her alcohol at staff quarters and raped her while she was sleeping. According to the source, the chain of events began on Sept 20 when the girl was chatting on the internet with a male friend identified as G. G asked if his friend, identified as RA, could have the girl's e-mail address. When the girl agreed for it to be passed on, she and G began corresponding. RA said it was his birthday the next day, and invited her to celebrate it with him, said the source. At 2pm on Sep 21, the girl and G went to RA's room in staff quarters behind a hotel, the source said.
"The girl told the public prosecution that RA had offered her two glasses of juice," said the source. "She claimed she didn't know the drinks contained liquor, which made her dizzy." When G and RA's cousin left the room to smoke, AO was alone with the suspect. The girl claimed she fell asleep and realised that RA had forced himself on her when she woke up hours later, before 6pm. She left with G and took a taxi home, the source said.
rruiz@thenational.ae
