18-year-old Briton receives prison sentence in Dubai for sexual relationship with a minor

A campaign group has announced that an 18-year-old British man received a one-year prison sentence in Dubai. The sentence stems from a sexual relationship he had with a 17-year-old British girl while both were vacationing with their families. Marcus Fakana, from Tottenham, north London, initiated the clandestine holiday romance in September with the other Londoner, who has since turned 18. Upon their return home, the girl’s mother discovered images and messages, prompting her to report the relationship to Dubai police. Subsequently, Mr. Fakana was apprehended at his hotel. In Dubai, engaging in sexual activity with someone under the age of 18 is prohibited by law. The advocacy organization Detained in Dubai characterized the ruling as an “utter disgrace” and stated that Mr. Fakana intends to appeal the “unreasonable” sentence. Detained in Dubai, recognized for assisting foreigners overseas and as an international authority on UAE law, further noted that Mr. Fakana expressed feeling “abandoned by the British government”. A spokesperson for the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office commented: “We are supporting a British man in the UAE and are in contact with his family.” While the Dubai Public Prosecutor’s office has been contacted for a statement, it had previously affirmed that its legal system “is committed to protecting the rights of all individuals and ensuring impartial judicial proceedings”. Radha Stirling, founder and chief executive of Detained in Dubai, stated that Mr. Fakana, who has been prevented from departing the country since September, was “desperately hoping” to go back home this week. She added: “But prosecutorial mishandling in the first stages of the case meant it wasn’t heard as a misdemeanour when it should have been.” “The family have issued a plea to Dubai ruler HH Sheikh Mohammed Al Maktoum to spare Marcus for consensual sex with another British citizen,” Ms. Stirling conveyed. Ms. Stirling informed the BBC that the young man would face deportation after serving his sentence. She further remarked: “I’m not sure that this is a law they should be upholding to this extent.” “A custodial sentence for consensual sex with two people – tourists who were only supposed to be there for a short time – does not warrant a year in jail, doesn’t warrant tearing this family apart and ruining this young 18-year-old’s life,” she asserted. She had previously mentioned that his parents “don’t know what to do” and were compelled to go back to London without their son to continue their employment, one as a cleaner and the other in a warehouse.