Brit teenager starts jail sentence for sex with 17-year-old in Dubai

A British teenager sentenced to a year in a Dubai jail for having a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old girl has handed himself in to begin his sentence, a campaign group has said. Marcus Fakana, 18, of Tottenham, north London, was with his parents in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from the end of August when a “holiday romance blossomed” with another Londoner, who has since turned 18, campaign group Detained in Dubai previously said.

Fakana “now hopes for a pardon” from Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Detained in Dubai said. In a message from Mr Fakana shared by the group, he thanked those who have supported him “throughout my fight”. “I’m grateful for all the people who helped by donating to me and my family,” he said, signing off with “goodbye Marcus.F”.

Radha Stirling, the group’s chief executive, said she was worried about the “impact of Dubai prison on an 18-year-old’s life”, adding “It wasn’t easy to find the words to say to him as he surrendered his freedom."

The teenage girl’s mother reported the relationship to Dubai police after returning to the UK and seeing pictures and chats. Officers then arrested Mr Fakana at his hotel, it is alleged.

Stirling previously said: "Marcus is 18 years old, but faces the demise of his entire life for being intimate with someone in his same school year, who is his same age. This is where Dubai authorities need to be intelligent about their application of the law. Marcus had consensual relations with someone his own age, from his own country while on a short holiday. He does not deserve to be locked up in Dubai Central Prison for a fling."

A Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office spokesman said: “We are supporting a British man in the UAE and are in