Brit jailed for ‘touching a man’s hip’ planning reunion with tearful mum after he’s freed by Dubai ruler
Jamie Harron, from Stirling, Scotland, was jailed after an alleged incident involving a Jordanian businessman in a bar in the UAE. Speaking today from Dubai, he described the ordeal as a 'complete shambles'.
A BRIT sentenced to three months jail for touching a man's hip in a Dubai bar is due to fly home tomorrow for an emotional reunion with his parents.
Jamie Harron, 27, was convicted of public indecency but then today sensationally freed after UAE ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum intervened.
Jamie always maintained he was trying to avoid spilling his drink when he touched the man in the bar back in July.
Speaking from Dubai today after being freed, he told The Sun Online he was hoping to fly back into Britain tomorrow.
He described the Dubai justice system an "absolute shambles" but said his parents Patricia and Graham, from Stirling, Scotland, were "ecstatic" at the news he was free.
Patricia said she was "absolutely delighted" and broke down in tears when she managed to speak with him on the phone.
He told her: "Just stop crying mum, don't be upset anymore. Don't cry anymore."
Jamie was sentenced to three months in prison on Sunday.
Campaign group Detained in Dubai, who have been supporting Jamie, have this morning said he will now have his passport returned.
The group said: "Jamie Harron is now on his way to the police station to retrieve his passport, apparently on order from His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
"Jamie Harron was told by police that the case has been dismissed and he can pick up his passport and is free to leave."
Jamie, an electrician from Stirling, Scotland, was stripped of his documents after he was arrested in July and he has been stranded in UAE since then.
Radha Stirling, CEO of Detained in Dubai, said Jamie was contacted by police last night to say his sentence has been overturned on order from the Sheikh who was worried that the high profile case could affect tourism in the UAE.
She said: "He nervously went to the police station today to get his passport, but he was worried it was going to be a trap to re-arrest him.
"He is very relieved and in shock as he wasn't expecting this to happen.
"He has to arrange flights home now, but he should be back in Britain imminently."
She later added: "We wish to express our deepest gratitude to Sheikh Mohammed for his personal intervention in this case, and for exonerating Jamie at long last.
"This was a courageous and honourable decision on the part of Sheikh Mohammed, and while it highlights the urgent need for judicial reform in the country, it is also a hopeful sign that the United Arab Emirate's leadership possesses the will and vision to pursue such reforms in the future."
Radha added that she expected that Jamie will initiate civil proceedings against his accusers, Emad Tabaza and the company he works for (Neuman & Esser).
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Jamie previously spent a week in prison following his arrest.
He was later sentenced to a month in prison and fined £412 but was released on bail.
He has lost his job as an electrician and is now in debt after having to spend more than £32,000 while stuck in the UAE.
Businessman Emad Tabaza, who said Jamie had been "very drunk" and "repeatedly" touched him at Rock Bottom bar, claimed to have dropped the charges against the Brit earlier this month.
But prosecutors in Dubai continued with the case.
Jamie, who worked as an electrician in Afghanistan, was on a two-day stopover in the United Arab Emirates at the time of the incident on 15 July.
A Foreign and Commonwealth Office spokesman said: "We have been in contact with a British man following his arrest in Dubai in July.
"We are providing consular assistance."
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