A 30-year-old Emirati suspect pleaded guilty to the rape and murder of a four-year-old Pakistani boy in a Mosque washroom on the first day of Eid al-Adha, reports Gulf News. The suspect initially pleaded not guilty, claiming that he had consensual sex with the child, and had no intention of killing him.

The court’s prosecutor is seeking the death penalty.

His court-appointed lawyer Hamed al-Khazraji refused to represent the suspect after he learned the details of the crime.

During the trial, advocate Mohammad al-Sa’adi addressed the court: “Everyone refuses to handle such a case. The suspect committed a ghastly crime which he admitted during questioning. However, if he confesses now and pleads for forgiveness, I will defend him…”

Soon afterwards, the suspect stunned the 200-strong courtroom when he retracted his initial plea and admitted his guilt: “I am guilty, I killed him and I raped him as well. I seek forgiveness,” the suspect said.

Al-Sa’adi also told the court that due to the suspect’s confession, he will represent him.

The court reconvenes on December 30.