Marcus Fakana, 18, is said to have handed himself in to a prison in Dubai after being sentenced over a holiday romance with a 17-year-old fellow British tourist
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.
Now, Radha Stirling, from the Detained in Dubai group which represents foreigners in the United Arab Emirates, has said 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.”
The Foreign Office has been approached for comment. Marcus was arrested by Dubai police at the hotel on August 31 while he was still on holiday, although he and the girl – who was also on holiday with her parent – said they had intended to continue their relationship in the UK. He 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.
During the court proceedings in Dubai, prosecutors accepted Marcus’s argument that the holiday romance at the Hilton Dubai Palm Jumeirah, was consensual – but said it was an offence because the girl was 17, if only weeks away from her 18th birthday. Speaking after his sentencing, David Lammy said: “It would not be appropriate for me to comment on any individual case except to say that of course as you would expect, his family have had all the full support available.”
