DUBAI // A restaurant manager and his assistant repeatedly molested the chef, a court heard on Tuesday.
Pakistani S J, 20, said that from the time he joined the restaurant nine months ago, he had been subjected to several incidents of abuse, in addition to being touched inappropriately.
He said manager E M, 24, and his female assistant S A, 22, both from Lebanon, would often kick him, mock him, strike him on his head with plates or use other kitchen utensils to hit him. He described how they took pleasure in the assaults, laughing and clapping their hands every time.
“In one incident, S A stabbed me on the shoulder with a fork,” the chef said. He added that the couple would also abuse him sexually.
He said that on January 3 he was punched by both of them on his body and head. The manager then pushed him over and S A restrained him as the manager pulled down the chef’s trousers and underwear.
“They are the bosses there, and I was afraid to lose my job, but then one of my colleagues reported them to police for assault, so I decided to do the same,” said S J.
At Dubai Criminal Court, the two faced several charges of forceful sexual assault.
The trial continues.
salamir@thenational.ae