Dubai: A jobless defendant has been jailed for having sex with an American saleswoman who claimed he followed her to her flat and raped her in her bedroom.

The Dubai Court of First Instance on Monday sentenced the 22-year-old Emirati accused to one year in jail. Presiding Judge Hamad Abdul Latif Abdul Jawad sentenced the accused, M.K., in absentia.

According to criminal procedure law, the defendant can contest the primary ruling, which was issued in absentia, in front of the same court.

Records said M.K. walked up behind the 26-year-old American while she was opening the door and forced her into the flat where he beat and raped her. The Public Prosecution charged the man with beating and raping the victim.

A police officer testified that the incident happened in her flat in International City: "I headed to the location and found the woman in a hysterical condition and she had bruises on her face & she claimed that she met the accused one month prior to the incident in a pub. She claimed that on the same day he dropped her home and she took the elevator. The American claimed that he surprised her & she alleged that M.K. prevented her from crying for help then he assaulted her before the rape," stated the officer.