The Dubai-Al Ain Road. Picture for illustrative purposes only. ARCHIVE

A free ride to Al Ain ended up in sexual assault after a pick-up truck driver in Dubai raped an African woman he offered a ride to. The case was heard at the Dubai Criminal Court where judges found the 43-year-old Asian truck driver guilty of raping the African woman. The identities of the perpetrator and victim have been withheld. The court sentenced the driver to life in jail, which is equivalent to 15 years or more in prison. He will also be deported after serving his sentence. According to records, the woman was waiting by the roadside in Dubai early in the morning to go to Al Ain when the pick-up truck driver stopped his vehicle to ask her where she was headed. After learning that she wanted to go to Al Ain, the driver offered her a free ride, which she accepted. However, after they reached a few kilometres in a deserted road, he stopped the vehicle and raped her. She only managed to escape later when she asked him for water, and he opened the truck’s door, giving her the chance to run out for help. The woman flagged another car with a female driver who helped her report the incident to the police. After the incident, a police investigation team tracked down and arrested the driver. He admitted his crime during police interrogation. ICA/Expat Media
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