Parents of young Brit facing jail for ‘touching man’s hip': Don’t go to Dubai

Worried: Jamie Harron, 27, with his parents Graham and Patricia
Detained in Dubai
Sebastian Mann9 October 2017

The anxious parents of a young British man held in Dubai after allegedly bumping into a man in a bar have told of their ordeal and said: “People have to stop visiting this country.”

Jamie Harron was arrested after putting his hand on a man’s hip so he didn’t “bump and spill drinks” and now faces a three-year prison sentence, his lawyers said.

The 27-year-old was locked up for five days before being released and having his passport seized by officials in the Gulf state, campaign group Detained in Dubai said.

Now the Scotsman is stranded awaiting the outcome of court hearings as he racks up expensive legal costs.

Since his arrest nearly two months ago on July 15, the electrician’s 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.”

His representatives said legal troubles began when he was arrested for alleged public indecency and drinking alcohol at the Rock Bottom Bar on July 15.

He is said to have been moving through the crowded bar holding a drink, with his hand in front of him to avoid spillage, when he "touched a man on his hip to avoid impact".

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.

Radha Stirling, chief executive of Detained in Dubai, said: "Jamie is relieved he wasn't arrested [at the latest hearing]. It was expected that he would have to spend some time in prison."

She said a further court date was expected in about two weeks, although no firm date has yet been set and Mr Harron expects the court process to be "drawn out".

"He's concerned. He's already been there three months. It seems to be never-ending for him and he's frustrated," she added.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office said it was providing consular assistance on the matter.

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