DUBAI, UAE – A 19-year-old British teenager, Marcus Fakana, from Tottenham, North London, has issued a heartfelt plea for clemency from a Dubai prison after being sentenced to one year for engaging in a consensual sexual relationship with a 17-year-old British girl during a family holiday.
The case, which has drawn international attention, underscores the sharp contrast between Western norms and the conservative legal framework in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), particularly concerning relationships and age of consent.
The Incident and Arrest
Fakana, who was 18 at the time of the incident in September 2024, met the girl—also a British national—while on vacation in Dubai. According to legal documents and statements from advocacy groups, the two developed a romantic relationship that reportedly included consensual sex.
Unbeknownst to Fakana, the relationship would take a dramatic turn when the girl’s mother, upon discovering their messages after returning to the UK, contacted UAE authorities. Despite the act being legal under UK law, where the age of consent is 16, the UAE criminalizes sexual relations with anyone under the age of 18, regardless of nationality.
Fakana was arrested at his hotel and reportedly held incommunicado for up to 72 hours before formal charges were filed. He was later convicted under Emirati law, which does not recognize the cultural or legal standards of other countries when it comes to age of consent and premarital relationships.
Sentencing and Legal Ramifications
In December 2024, a Dubai court sentenced Fakana to 12 months in Al Awir prison—a relatively lenient outcome considering the maximum penalty could have extended to 20 years.
Under UAE law, the country’s moral code, rooted in Sharia principles, treats premarital sex as a criminal offense, and the involvement of a minor exacerbates the gravity of the crime, even if both parties are foreign nationals.
Legal experts have pointed to the growing number of Western tourists facing unexpected legal consequences in the Gulf state due to unfamiliarity with local laws. Advocacy group Detained in Dubai has called the case a “harsh lesson in cross-cultural legal systems.”
A Plea for Compassion
From behind bars, Fakana has written a personal appeal to the ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, requesting a pardon. In his letter, he expressed remorse and emphasized that he never intended to violate UAE laws, believing he was acting within the boundaries of his own country’s norms.
“I didn’t come here to disrespect the laws of your land,” he wrote. “I only ask for forgiveness and the chance to return to my family.”
Diplomatic and Public Support
The teenager’s family, supported by human rights advocates and the campaign group Detained in Dubai, is lobbying the British government and diplomatic channels for intervention. Foreign Secretary David Lammy has confirmed that the UK Foreign Office is providing full consular support, though he cautioned that British citizens must respect the sovereignty of local laws abroad.
Meanwhile, solidarity rallies have been held in London, with protesters calling for Fakana’s immediate release. A legal defense fund has been launched to assist with ongoing appeals and negotiations.
Cultural Misunderstandings and Legal Education
The case has reignited debates around the need for stronger travel education among young tourists visiting countries with significantly different legal codes.
Radha Stirling, founder of Detained in Dubai, noted, “Many British nationals are unaware that actions deemed perfectly acceptable at home can be criminalized in the UAE. We’ve seen young people arrested for kissing in public, swearing on WhatsApp, or posting pictures on Instagram. It’s a sobering reality.”
Awaiting a Decision
As of June 2025, Fakana remains incarcerated at Al Awir prison while his petition for clemency awaits review by Dubai’s leadership. Campaigners are hopeful that the Dubai authorities will exercise mercy, particularly given the consensual nature of the relationship and the psychological impact of incarceration on a young first-time offender.
FactSphere will continue to monitor the case and provide timely updates.