UK teenager begins Dubai jail term for relationship with 17-year-old girl | Dubai

A British teenager has handed himself in to the authorities in Dubai to begin a one-year prison sentence for having a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old girl, a campaign group has said.

Marcus Fakana, 18, was on holiday with his family in the United Arab Emirates when he met the girl, who is also from London and turned 18 the following month. He was arrested at his hotel and charged after the girl’s mother found their chats and pictures after the family’s return to London and called the Dubai police.

Radha Stirling, the head of campaign group Detained in Dubai, said Fakana had handed himself in to authorities and intended to serve his year-long sentence in Dubai’s al-Awir prison.

She wrote on X that the teenager was still hoping for a pardon from Dubai’s ruler, Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, and help from the UK foreign secretary, David Lammy – the family’s MP in Tottenham – and the British embassy.

She said: “I worry about the impact of Dubai prison on an 18-year-old’s life. It wasn’t easy to find the words to say to him as he surrendered his freedom.”

When asked previously about the case, Lammy said Fakana would have “all the support available” from UK officials but that people should “follow the rules” of other countries.

Stirling said previously that the sentence was an “utter disgrace” and “an embarrassment to Britain”, and claimed “the UK has prioritised trade deals over people’s lives”.

Stirling shared a message from Fakana that said: “Thank you to everyone who has supported me throughout my fight. It’s been a long fight, but nothing is hard with my Lord and saviour Jesus Christ guiding me.

“I’m grateful for all the people who have helped by donating to me and my family of faith for supporting me.”

Fakana said previously the pair kept their “holiday romance” secret from the girl’s family “because they were strict” and had hoped to continue seeing each other back in the UK.

Dubai has strict laws and enforcement on drugs, alcohol and sex, for which the age of consent is 18. If an adult has a sexual relationship with a person under 18 they can be prosecuted for having a sexual relationship with a minor.

In a previous statement, prosecutors 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.

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