DUBAI // A company manager who raped a woman applying for a job as his secretary was today sentenced to death.
HA, a 44-year-old Iraqi, posted an advertisement in an Arabic language daily newspaper seeking a secretary for his contracting company, leaving his mobile number as the contact. 30-year-old EM, who was visiting the country in the hope of finding a full-time job, saw the advert and contacted the manager, agreeing to meet him on January 8 this year.
When she entered the studio apartment in which the office was situated at about 1.30pm the manager locked the door after her and started asking about her qualifications. These questions soon gave way to flirting, which made the woman uncomfortable and she told him she wanted to leave. But as she walked towards the door the manager grabbed her, threw her on top of his desk and raped her, stifling her screams and attempts to resist as he did so.
After the attack the woman took the bus back to an apartment where she was staying with a number of other girls and informed one of her roommates of what had happened. On the roommate's advice she went to Naif police station and reported the attack.
When the manager was arrested the next day he gave arresting officers a false name.
A forensic examination found traces of the manager's DNA on the woman's clothes.
The sentence by the Dubai Criminal Court will be subject to automatic appeal.
salamir@thenational.ae
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The National in Davos
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Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
Tailors and retailers miss out on back-to-school rush
Tailors and retailers across the city said it was an ominous start to what is usually a busy season for sales.
With many parents opting to continue home learning for their children, the usual rush to buy school uniforms was muted this year.
“So far we have taken about 70 to 80 orders for items like shirts and trousers,” said Vikram Attrai, manager at Stallion Bespoke Tailors in Dubai.
“Last year in the same period we had about 200 orders and lots of demand.
“We custom fit uniform pieces and use materials such as cotton, wool and cashmere.
“Depending on size, a white shirt with logo is priced at about Dh100 to Dh150 and shorts, trousers, skirts and dresses cost between Dh150 to Dh250 a piece.”
A spokesman for Threads, a uniform shop based in Times Square Centre Dubai, said customer footfall had slowed down dramatically over the past few months.
“Now parents have the option to keep children doing online learning they don’t need uniforms so it has quietened down.”