Briton, 18, jailed in Dubai over sex with girl, 17

An 18-year-old Briton convicted of having sex with an underage 17-year-old British girl in Dubai has handed himself in to authorities there to begin a one-year jail sentence, a charity says.

Marcus Fakana, of Tottenham, north London, began a secretive romance in September with another Londoner, who is now 18, while both were on holiday with their families.

After returning home and seeing pictures and chats between the pair, the girl’s mother reported the relationship to Dubai police, who arrested Fakana at his hotel. Sex with someone under 18 is illegal in Dubai.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said it was supporting a British man in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Fakana handed himself in to Dubai’s Al Awir prison, according to the UK-based campaign group and charity Detained in Dubai.

He had been on bail and staying in temporary accommodation in Dubai since his arrest in September. His parents had to return to London to resume their jobs in a warehouse and as a cleaner to help pay for their son’s accommodation.

Radha Stirling, chief executive of Detained in Dubai, which helps foreigners abroad and is an international authority on UAE law, said she had spoken with Fakana, who told her he would focus on his physical and mental health while in jail.

“Marcus is hopeful that in beginning his ordeal today, he will be home sooner than he would be if he appealed,” she said.

“It is difficult to have the right words to tell a young man turning himself in for a year in Dubai prison.

“He’s very brave and kind and I truly hope he will be home soon.”

Fakana’s family is being supported by the charity, which said his parents were hoping for a royal pardon and commuted sentence.

They are also pushing the UK government and Foreign Secretary David Lammy “for assistance”.

A Downing Street spokesman said earlier this month: “The prime minister recognises it’s an extremely distressing situation for Marcus and his family.”

Previously, the charity explained both teenagers were on holiday with their parents in the UAE from the UK, where the age of consent is 16.

Fakana had told his family about the romance but the girl had not told hers.

The government of Dubai previously said: “Under UAE law, the girl is legally classified as a minor and, in accordance with procedures recognised internationally, her mother – being the legal guardian – filed the complaint.”

It added: “Dubai’s legal system is committed to protecting the rights of all individuals and ensuring impartial judicial proceedings.”