DUBAI // A policewoman has been accused of maliciously filing a case of sexual assault against a New Zealand woman to cover up the fact that she slapped her while in custody.
The New Zealander, a 41-year-old housewife and mother of two, named only as LT, first appeared before the Dubai Criminal Court of First Instance in June charged with drinking alcohol and sexually accosting a policewoman.
The defendant, who was in court on Sunday, was charged with kissing and hugging the Dubai policewoman and inappropriately touching her.
LT's lawyer, Eisa bin Haidar, told the court the policewoman only filed a case against his client because she was afraid the defendant's husband, a New Zealand lawyer, might sue her and the police for slapping his wife while in custody.
Mr Haidar said the assault could not have happened as claimed because of the way in which the police officer and the woman were seated. "It would have only been possible for the defendant to carry out this physical feat if the officer was a willing participant," he added.
He said that as for his client hugging and kissing the policewoman the act was merely intended as a "normal expression of gratitude between women". Mr Haidar said his client was expressing her appreciation for not being handcuffed after her arrest for being drunk and disorderly at a Jumeirah hotel.
The policewoman told prosecutors in April: "At first the defendant refused to board the police bus but when I assured her that I am not going to handcuff her, she held my hand and hugged me."
The prosecutor said LT hugged and kissed the policewoman on her neck, tried to undress herself while on the police bus and acted in a sexually suggestive and inappropriate manner.
The policewomen added that as the defendant sat next to her on the police bus she tried to lift her skirt up. "I pushed her hand away and placed her other hand behind my back," she said.
The police bus driver also said the defendant kicked the policewoman.
A ruling is due on Oct 21.
hathish@thenational.ae
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