Three-year sentence in kidnapping, sex assault

DUBAI // A man who kidnapped and sexually assaulted a flight attendant was sentenced this morning to three years in prison.

The Emirati MY, 22, was convicted of kidnapping, illegal confinement of a female, physical assault, issuing threats and sexually assaulting the 20-year-old Omani woman.

The victim went missing for five hours and was found by her father in a dire state at a shopping mall, the Dubai Criminal Court of First Instance was told in November.

MY was in contact with the girl and offered her a lift on March 16, 2010. He told her that she should come with him to his house to sleep with him, but she scolded him.

MY then attacked her and drove her to a deserted area near Al Khawaneej district, where he threatened to kill her and bury her if she did not agree to his demands.

She was then taken to a house in the Rashidiya district where she was pushed into a room, stripped and molested, records show.

The woman was beaten as she screamed out a window, she told prosecutors.

Another man, who was identified as MY’s friend, entered the room and ordered him to take her away because she was drawing attention.

MY took her to Bin Swieqat mall and left her there.

The verdict is subject to appeal within 15 days.

salamir@thenational.ae