Here's both sides
- intriguing how they differ:
The first is from the Khaleej Times and the second from the Sydney Morning Herald.
Australians convicted in sexual harassment case
(Wam)
5 June 2007
ABU DHABI — Two Australians will be deported from the UAE following their conviction for sexual assault and harassment. The two men were found guilty following their trial at Abu Dhabi’s criminal court.
The men faced charges relating to incidents that occurred in the first class cabin of an Etihad Airways flight from Sydney to Abu Dhabi on April 27, 2007. The two men, and a third person, were alleged to have engage in drinking and offensive behaviour throughout the journey. It was alleged that despite repeated requests and warnings the three men continued to behave inappropriately causing concern to staff and passengers.
It was alleged that at one point, the need to divert the flight in order to resolve the situation was considered.
David Andrew Evans was found guilty of sexual assault and was sentenced to a twelve-month custodial sentence, suspended for three years.
He was also charged with public exposure and indecency after allegedly removing his clothing and repeatedly exposing himself during the flight.
Jeremy (Harvey David) as convicted of sexual harassment and given a three-month custodial sentence, suspended for three years.
He was charged with unlawful consumption of cocaine and hashish, after traces of both were returned in a positive drugs test. He was also charged with the use of offensive language in a public place. It was deemed by the court that Jeremy’s positive drug test was the result of consumption prior to his departure to the UAE. The court heard the testimony from a female cabin crew member on use of offensive language and sexual innuendo committed under the influence of alcohol. These ranged from unwelcome advances to actual sexual assault.
A third man, Wiliam Sargent, was acquitted on two charges — the unlawful consumption of temazepam and the use of offensive language in a public place.
Reacting to the verdicts, Etihad Airways spokesperson Ian Burns said: “Etihad Airways will continue to treat reports of alleged assault on our staff extremely seriously. We support prosecutions by the authorities, where there is sufficient evidence, anywhere in the world. The safety of our customers and crew is our number one priority and we will continue to uphold a zero tolerance policy towards disruptive passengers.’’
UAE trial: Aussies avoid jail
June 5, 2007 - 5:59AM
Bill Sergent
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Three Australians detained in the United Arab Emirates hope to leave the country on Tuesday after appearing in court on charges of drinking alcohol and sexual harassment.
Businessmen Jeremy Snaith and William Sargent have been in custody near Abu Dhabi facing drug, sexual harassment and intoxication charges.
The third Australian, David Evans, was charged with sexual harassment, indecent exposure and intoxication, but had been free on bail.
The three first-class passengers were arrested after getting off an Etihad flight from Sydney to Abu Dhabi on April 27.
Snaith was handed a six-month suspended sentence on Monday night, while Evans received a one-year suspended sentence.
Sargent was acquitted of all charges.
But Sean Mulcahy, a spokesman for Snaith and Evans, who are both directors of Jupiter Mines Ltd, said none of the men should have been convicted.
He said key prosecution evidence had been withdrawn on the strength of the defence case, including numerous affidavits from other first class passengers on the flight confirming their version of events.
"We are bitterly disappointed there was any conviction whatsoever," he said.
"We believe these gentlemen should have been exonerated on all charges.
"We were disappointed we couldn't cross examine and provide our own evidence."
Mr Mulcahy said lawyers for the men would be looking further into the case on return to Australia.
A full translation of the verdict would be available on Tuesday, he said.
"We'll find out full details as to what the judgment means," he said.
"We will be looking at the detail once we get back to Australia and looking into whether there are any grounds for appeal."
Mr Mulcahy declined to detail what the three men were accused of doing on the flight.
He said the incident arose out of poor conditions on the plane, including unhelpful staff, seats that wouldn't recline and broken entertainment and airconditioning systems.
"The flight was a disaster from start to finish," he said.
But Etihad Airways corporate communications vice president Iain Burns said: "Nothing justifies the bad behaviour and sexual assault of airline crew that was proven in court."
He said the airline would continue to treat reports of alleged assault on staff "extremely seriously".
"We support prosecutions by the authorities, where there is sufficient evidence, anywhere in the world," he said tonight.
"The safety of our customers and crew is our number one priority and we will continue to uphold a zero tolerance policy towards disruptive passengers."
Mr Mulcahy said the men were still in police custody in the UAE, but hoped to leave on Tuesday.
He said they were negotiating their onward journey and may not fly back to Australia, instead preferring to continue their business trip.