Attacker jailed for Abu Dhabi subway assault

A man has been jailed for three years for attempting to rape a woman in a pedestrian underpass in Abu Dhabi.

The emirate’s Court of First Instance heard that the 32-year-old Spanish victim had been sunbathing on the beach at the Corniche.

She was using the underpass to cross under the busy Corniche Road in the afternoon when the Bangladeshi man grabbed her from behind and knocked her to the ground.

The woman screamed and struggled as her attacker tried to pull her clothes off. Two tourists taking photos just outside the underpass heard her cries and went to her aid.

The defendant then tried to escape but the tourists shouted out and two other men pinned down the attacker until police arrived. The victim was shaken and had scratches on her face and body.

The defendant admitted attempted rape when he appeared in court and will be deported after completing his sentence.

As part of the Abu Dhabi 2030 plan, the Urban Planning Council has called for more pedestrian areas and greater security in the city. Colonel Gaith Al Zaabi, the director of the Ministry of Interior’s traffic department, has also said there will be increased use of security cameras in underpasses.

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