Woman arrested following rape in hotel claim

A British woman on holiday in Dubai with her fiance reported a rape to the police, but both were arrested for illegal sex and drinking, according to a report in The National.

The woman, a 23-year-old of Pakistani descent, was in the emirate celebrating her engagement at The Address hotel in Dubai Marina.

But on New Year’s Eve she claimed she was attacked by a waiter while semi-conscious in a hotel toilet.

On reporting the attack at the Jebel Ali police station the following morning, she was arrested, having admitted to illegal drinking and having sexual intercourse outside marriage, the paper said.

The couple have been released on bail and their passports have been confiscated, while they await trial with the possibility of being jailed for up to six years if found guilty of the sex charge.

The waiter, believed to be Syrian, allegedly followed the woman into the toilets and raped her while she was semi-conscious.

Her fiancé later helped her back to the hotel room, unaware of the attack, but when she told him what happened the following morning they contacted the police.

The woman was given a blood test to prove she had been drinking. A rape exam was administered following an appeal from the British embassy, which is providing consular assistance to the couple.

The alleged attacker denied the rape charge, claiming the woman consented, but has been charged with illegal sex.

A spokesman for the hotel said, “The hotel cannot comment on the matter as it is sub judice and being investigated by the authorities.”

Major Abdul al Kadi al Banni, director of the Jebel Ali police station, confirmed that the woman had reported a rape on January 1.

He said the police took all necessary measures, however, he added there was also a case filed against the woman and her fiance for illegal drinking and sexual intercourse.

“The woman confessed that she had sexual intercourse with her fiance and that she had alcohol. We cannot just ignore such an offence.”

All three suspects were referred to the public prosecution.