The parents of a man facing a three-year jail sentence in Dubai for touching another man's hip at a bar have spoken out about their ordeal.

Jamie Harron's mother Patricia has told of being unable to sleep due to being "up all night worrying".

Mr Harron, 27, from Stirling, claims he only touched the man in the bar three months ago so they did not "bump and spill drinks".

According to campaign group Detained in Dubai, Mr Harron had expected to be arrested at a hearing on Sunday for failing to appear at a previous court date, which the group claimed was moved without notification.

However, the electrician was not arrested but was told to remain in the city for future court hearings.

The ordeal has left him stuck in the emirate for three months facing jail, jobless and in huge amounts of debt.

Mr Harron's father Graham says his son has "never been a problem" and before this was "never in trouble".

The 27-year-old has spent more than £32,000 in expenses and legal fees trying to resolve the matter while he was stripped of his documents and lost his job.

He was in Dubai on a two-day stopover while flying back to work in Afghanistan.

He and his friend had bought their first drink in the crowded Rock Bottom bar in Dubai, a popular venue in Tecom.

Mr Harron says he placed his hand on the hip of man to ensure they did not bump and spill their drinks.

Police then turned up and arrested Mr Harron, who claims he was jailed not knowing the charge. He has been held in the country since July 15.

He said a prosecutor later told him he had been charged with drinking alcohol and "public indecency".

Tourists who consume alcohol at licensed venues in Dubai can still be arrested for having alcohol in their system.

Most visitors are not aware of this and a number of British nationals have been caught out by the contradictory application of the law.

"I'm up all night worrying about what is going to happen to Jamie," Patricia said. "There's no chance of sleep."

Her husband Graham was extremely critical of the British embassy, saying they have failed to provide the family with support.

He said: "Patricia and I have not been able to relax for a moment. We never dreamed we would have to face something like this.

"I wanted him to tell his story to the press but he really did not think it would be necessary. We can't believe that this nightmare has gone on for three months.

"Jamie is a good boy. He has never been a problem and never in trouble.

"We are a very close family and it is killing us to think of him spending even 3 nights in jail, let alone 3 years."

Graham added: "The UK embassy has not done anything to help and seem to think it is absolutely fine for British nationals to be abused in this way.

"People have to stop visiting that country. Since Jamie was arrested, I have researched and found that this is more common than any of us think.

"It is unacceptable the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) actually promotes the United Arab Emirates to British tourists."

Mr Harron has described the saga as "like a horrible dream," saying: "I just don't know when it is going to end.

"I thought it would be over by now but it feels like it will never be.

"I am lucky I have friends to stay with but this has broken me, financially and emotionally.

"I am in debt because of the legal fees and won't even be able to afford to appeal the case if it doesn't go in my favour".

Radha Stirling, chief executive of Detained in Dubai, said: "Jamie is relieved he wasn't arrested [at the latest hearing].

"It was expected that he would have to spend some time in prison."

She said a further court date was expected in about two weeks, although no firm date has yet been set and Mr Harron expects the court process to be "drawn out".

"He's concerned. He's already been there three months. It seems to be never-ending for him and he's frustrated," she added.

The FCO said it was providing consular assistance on the matter.