British teenager begins jail sentence in Dubai over sex with 17-year-old girl

A teenager sentenced to one year in a Dubai jail for having a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old girl has handed himself in to begin his sentence.

Marcus Fakana, from Tottenham, north London, “now hopes for a pardon” from Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, campaign group Detained in Dubai said.

Mr Fakana, 18, thanked those who have supported him “throughout my fight” in a message to the group.

“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”.

“It wasn’t easy to find the words to say to him as he surrendered his freedom,” she said.

Mr Fakana 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, the campaign group previously said.

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

A Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office spokesman said: “We are supporting a British man in the UAE and are in contact with his family.”

Consular officials are said to be in regular contact with Mr Fakana, his family and his legal team, but the government is not able to interfere in the country’s judicial system.

In Dubai, if an adult has a sexual relationship with a person under 18, they can be prosecuted for having a sexual relationship with a minor.

Mr Fakana has received backing from members of the public, and a Change.org petition calling on the government to offer him stronger support received more than 40,000 signatures.

A fundraiser set up by Mr Fakana’s family entitled “Help bring Marcus home” has raised more than £35,000, to which Game Of Thrones actor Kit Harington gave £500, according to GoFundMe.