British man accused of 'indecently touching' businessman in Dubai sentenced to a month in prison for drinking alcohol

A British man facing an accusation that he ‘indecently touched’ a businessman in a bar in Dubai has been sentenced to a month in prison for drinking alcohol.

Jamie Harron, 27, is facing a possible three-year sentence after allegedly touching the man’s hip in a bar.

Mr Harron, who has been stripped of his passport, was convicted and sentenced for drinking alcohol in advance of his trial on ‘public indecency’.

A spokesman for prosecution service in Dubai confirmed the sentencing saying: ‘On the drinking charge, he has been sentenced to a month in jail, fined 2,000 dirhams (£412) and will be deported.

‘His next appearance on the public indecency case is on October 22.’

It is not clear whether Mr Harron has started his sentence.

Mr Harron from Stirling, Scotland, admits he placed his hand on a man’s hip in a bar so they did not bump and spill their drinks, apparently sparking a ‘cultural misunderstanding’.

He denies indecency.

He was arrested following the incident and jailed for five days before being released on bail.

Mr Harron has since lost his job and has been stuck in Dubai for the last three months, where he has spent more than £32,000 in expenses and legal fees trying to resolve the matter.

His alleged victim has been identified as the managing director of a global technology giant.

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Radha Stirling, CEO of Detained In Dubai, the British based NGO who is leading the campaign to help Jamie, said she has received more than 80 messages an hour offering support for Jamie since the news broke.

She added: ‘Jamie’s case is not about knowing the law. He followed the law and has witnesses to support him.

‘This is a case of false and spiteful allegations being made against Jamie and the way that Dubai authorities have responded.

‘The complainant in this case has no evidence of any crime being committed but Jamie has been stuck in the UAE for more than three months.

“Regarding the alcohol charges, of course, he was drinking, everyone was.

“He was in a licensed bar. Informing tourists of the law does not help, when the entire enforcement system in the UAE needs an overhaul.