A British teenager is said to have 'handed himself in' to a prison in Dubai to begin his sentence after being found guilty over a holiday romance. Marcus Fakana had met a 17-year-old girl also from the UK at the Hilton Dubai Palm Jumeirah hotel, where she and the 18-year-old, from Tottenham, north London, had consensual sex. He was convicted of having underage sex and jailed for one year in Dubai earlier this month.
Today, Radha Stirling, from the Detained in Dubai group which represents foreigners in the United Arab Emirates, said that that Marcus "has handed himself in to begin serving his 1 year sentence in Dubai's Al Awir prison" - and is appealing to Foreign Secretary David Lammy to help his case.
She said: "The government of Dubai has handed a lengthy sentence to a British tourist who had consensual relations with another British tourist. Had the couple met just a month later, Marcus would not have been charged. The application of the law in this case is nonsensical.
"We encourage tourists who run into trouble to contact us urgently and at the first instance for confidential advice, local lawyers (do not trust Embassy recommendations) and diplomatic assistance. Do not delay.". A Foreign Office spokesperson said: "We are supporting a British man in the UAE and are in contact with his family". Marcus was arrested by Dubai police at the hotel on August 31 while he was still on holiday. He and the girl - who was also on holiday with her parent - said they had intended to continue their relationship in the UK. Marcus was held at the Al Barsha Police Station for three days and not allowed to make phone calls or speak with his parents, according to Detained In Dubai.
