Jail for bus driver who groped passenger

DUBAI // A bus driver who groped a passenger and tried to kiss her against her will was sentenced to a year in prison to be followed by deportation, said the Dubai Criminal Court.

MM, a 35-year-old Egyptian driver, locked the door of his vehicle on the morning of March 14 then groped JA, a 32-year-old Filipina telephone operator, and demanded she kiss him.

JA boarded the RTA vehicle to head to her workplace. When the bus arrived at her stop she tried to open the door but found it was locked. No other passengers were on board at the time.

When she asked the driver to open it, he told her he would do so in return for a kiss.

She refused his request and started banging on the door trying to open it. She said the driver walked towards her and touched her buttocks and chest and insisted she kiss him.

The woman continued screaming and told the defendant she would call the police.

The driver then opened the door and let her go. She called police about four hours later.

salamir@thenational.ae