Girl traumatised by male attacker in The Gardens, Dubai.

The 12-year-old victim says a man molested her as she went out to dispose garbage.

• Image Credit: GULF NEWS ARCHIVE
• A view of The Gardens. Photo for illustrative purposes only

Dubai: A family has been left traumatised after their 12-year-old daughter claimed she was molested in front of their building in Dubai.

Police are investigating after a complaint by the girl’s father.

The Indian family lives in The Gardens, Jebel Ali, where a similar incident happened in August.

Speaking about Thursday’s incident, the girl’s father said: “It happened at around 11am as my daughter went out to dispose off the garbage in front of the building entrance. She was sexually harassed by a man who was standing near the elevator. My daughter said the man seemed Arab, was around 30-40 years old and fair-skinned with blond hair and a small beard.”

The girl claimed that the man asked her something in Arabic that she did not understand. He put his hand over her mouth, held her against the exit door and pulled down his pants.

When the girl did not return home soon, her mother and elder sister went looking for her.

The father tried to call The Gardens’ security office, but got no response. He then called the police who arrived within minutes.The victim’s father said: “The man must have seen my wife and other daughter approaching the entrance of the building, so he let go of my daughter and ran away. My wife started screaming and I ran out to look for the man, but could not find him.”

“My daughter was scared to death and asked me not to tell the police. She claimed that the man threatened to kill her if she went to the police. My family and neighbours went to Jebel Ali police station and registered a case.”

Fearing for the girl’s safety, the family has decided to move out of The Gardens.

In August, Gulf News reported how a woman warned residents in The Gardens after a man allegedly exposed himself to her.

The man in that incident was described as in his 30’s, almost six feet tall, and fair-skinned.

Security at The Gardens confirmed to Gulf News in August that they had received two other reports about a suspect who matched the description committing indecent acts in front of women.

Dubai Police officials on Sunday confirmed a man has recently been arrested in connection with the three incidents in August.

Lt Colonel Ahmad Humaid Al Merri, Director of the Criminal Investigation Department at Dubai Police, told Gulf News that the police will do their best to find the man.

“This is a very serious matter,” he said.

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