A tourist has been spared jail time by the highest power in Dubai, after being sent to court for touching a man's hip.

In July, 27-year-old Scottish electrician Jamie Harron was arrested for the act which constitutes public indecency in the United Arab Emirates.

Harron was sentenced to three months in jail, but the emirate's ruler Sheikh Mohammed has pardoned the man.

UK correspondent Rod Liddle said there's been a pattern of similar arrests.

"Brits, going to Dubai disporting themselves in the manner they might do in Blackpool and suddenly looking quite askance when they're arrested by very conservative Islamic police."

LISTEN ABOVE AS ROD LIDDLE SPEAKS WITH MIKE HOSKING