Auto Amazon Links: No products found.
An 18-year-old British man, Marcus Fakana, has been sentenced to a year in prison for a sexual relationship he had with a 17-year-old British girl in Dubai. Fakana has appealed to the emirate’s ruler to be allowed to go home. He began a holiday romance with the girl in September of last year, after which she returned home and her mother reported the relationship to Dubai police after seeing pictures and chats. Sex with someone under 18 is illegal in Dubai. Both teenagers were on holiday with their parents in the UAE from the UK, where the age of consent is 16.
Fakana had told his family about the romance, but the girl had not told hers. After his arrest, Fakana has been staying in temporary accommodation in Dubai. His family and campaign group Detained in Dubai have called the sentence “unreasonable” and an “utter disgrace.” The group will help to appeal the verdict.
Fakana has expressed his sorrow, stating, “I never intended to break the law. It didn’t occur to me at the time and for that, I’m sorry. I am asking His Highness, Sheikh Mohammed Al Maktoum, to please forgive me and pardon me. Let me go home. Please give me my life back.” His parents have gone back to London, where they work as a warehouse worker and cleaner to help pay for his temporary accommodation.
The prime minister of the UK has said, “The prime ministers recognises it’s an extremely distressing situation for Marcus and his family.” The Foreign Office is also in regular contact with his family and his legal team at this difficult time. Fakana’s care is under the support of consular officials
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
Auto Amazon Links: No products found.