Police spokesman in Jazan Capt. Abdullah bin Maiedh Al-Qarni said the man’s confessions were authenticated according to Shariah rules and referred to higher authorities for further action.

The spokesman said a citizen informed police that a stranger was trying to sneak into a house in the village outside Jazan city, and was immediately arrested.

The suspect, an Arab national, reportedly said he used to enter his victims’ houses in the village in the early hours of morning when their fathers went to the mosques for Fajr prayer. He admitted molesting a number of young girls.

According to the reports, the villagers expressed relief that the man was behind bars.