British man jailed for one month after drinking alcohol in Dubai
Jamie Harron, 27, was arrested and had his passport seized following allegations that he put his hand on a man’s hip.
It emerged today that Mr Harron has been convicted and sentenced for public drunkenness in advance of his trial later this month.
"His next appearance on the public indecency case is on October 22."
It is not clear whether he has started his sentence.
The 27-year-old electrician is said to have been holding a drink, moving through a crowded bar, and held a hand in front of him to avoid spilling it on himself or others.
He was arrested following the incident at the Rock Bottom Bar, jailed for five days before being released on bail.
Since his arrest nearly two months ago on July 15, his family have been mounting a desperate effort to get him home.
Dad Graham said: “Patricia and I have not been able to relax for a moment. We never dreamed we would have to face something like this. I wanted him to tell his story to the press but he really did not think it would be necessary.
“We can't believe that this nightmare has gone on for three months. Jamie is a good boy. He has never been a problem and never in trouble.
“We are a very close family and it is killing us to think of him spending even three nights in jail, let alone three years.”
He added: “The UK embassy has not done anything to help and seem to think it is absolutely fine for British nationals to be abused in this way.
“People have to stop visiting that country. Since Jamie was arrested, I have researched and found that this is more common than any of us think.”
Mr Harron, from Stirling, had been working in Afghanistan and was on a two-day stopover in Dubai when the incident happened.
He is said to have since lost his job and has spent more than £30,000 in expenses and legal fees.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office said it was providing consular assistance on the matter.
Source: Standard
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