A Scot has been sentenced to three months in prison in Dubai for touching a man's hip.

Jamie Harron, from Stirling, has been held in the United Arab Emirates since July.

The 27-year-old had already been sentenced to a month in jail for failing to turn up for a court appearance and faced another three years in prison for public indecency.

Mr Harron described it as a "cultural misunderstanding" and said he touched the man's hip trying not to spill his drink.

The businessman who made the complaint against Mr Harron reportedly later withdrew it but prosecutors in Dubai continued the case regardless.

And when it called today Mr Harron was sentenced to three months.

It is not yet clear if the sentence will run consecutively or concurrently to his earlier jail term.

Detained in Dubai broke the news in a tweet which read: "#jamieharron sentenced to 3 months in Dubai jail. Lawyers say they will appeal."

Local reports said Mr Harron was not in court for the verdict but has two weeks to submit an appeal.

He is not in custody while the appeal is considered.

Detained in Dubai later released a statement confirming the sentence.

It read: "Today Jamie Harron was sentenced to 3 months imprisonment for accidentally brushing the hip of an Arab customer at the Rock Bottom bar in Dubai.

"Key witnesses to the incident were not called upon to testify to discredit the allegations.

"Jamie will appeal the verdict, though this will prolong his increasingly difficult circumstances in Dubai, and compound the enormous financial losses he has suffered as a consequence of the ongoing case."

The campaign group said Mr Harron has yet to be sentenced to two other charges stemming from the case - consuming alcohol and allegedly making a rude gesture against the businessman.

It also claimed his previous 30 day prison sentence was for failing to appear at a court hearing, despite not being notified of the date in advance.

The statement continued: "He has already spent several months stranded in the UAE over this case, lost his job, and is in danger of losing his home as he struggles to pay legal expenses."

In a further twist, Detained in Dubai also cast doubt over claims the executive at the centre of the case wanted to drop the charges.

It said there was "no documentation" to support this and claimed the complainer has never appeared in court to request a dismissal.

Radha Stirling, CEO of Detained in Dubai, said: "Now Jamie has been sentenced to three months; there is no telling whether a judgment on appeal will be better or worse.

"He has already suffered tremendously as a result of these allegations, and now faces the likelihood of incarceration.

"His family was unable to visit him during this critical time because they faced a very real risk of imprisonment themselves under the UAE's CyberCrime laws which forbid criticism of the government."

Ms Stirling also confirmed fresh legal proceedings will be launched when Mr Harron is back in Scotland.

She added: "At this point, Jamie will definitely be pursuing civil action against his accusers when he does eventually return home, as it appears that he will not be able to find justice in the UAE.

"He is angry, disappointed, and dreads what may happen next."

Ms Stirling also said Mr Harron felt "betrayed and exploited" by his own lawyer who did not call upon any witnesses in his defence.

Mr Harron's parents, Graham and Patricia, last week said their son's life had been "ruined".

It is legal to buy and sell alcohol at licensed premises in Dubai but police in the strict Muslim emirate can still arrest drinkers.

The electrician has lost his job and says he has spent more than £32,000 on legal fees and expenses so far.

In a recent voicemail Mr Harron said his plans to start a new career in Afghanistan had "backfired".

He said: "Because of all this mess over a two-day stopover, I am in debt and stand to lose my house, everything I've worked for, and my freedom.

"All of the support from everyone back home has just made me feel so homesick.

"I miss my family so much."

A Foreign Office spokeswoman said: "We have been in contact with a British man following his arrest in Dubai in July.

"We are providing consular assistance."