British man, 18, jailed in Dubai for having sex with 17-year-old girl pleads for ruler to 'let me go home'

An 18-year-old man from the UK, who was given a one-year prison sentence in Dubai for engaging in sexual activity with a 17-year-old British girl, has appealed to the ruler of the emirate, asking to be allowed to return home.

Marcus Fakana, hailing from north London, enjoyed a vacation romance in September with a girl, who is now 18 years old and also from London.

However, the girl's mother alerted the Dubai police after getting back to the UK and discovering photos and messages exchanged between the two.

Engaging in sexual activities with someone younger than 18 is against the law in Dubai. The two teenagers were vacationing with their parents and are from the UK, where the legal age for consent is 16.

While staying in temporary housing after being released on bail, Fakana, who lives in Tottenham, shared with the campaign group Detained in Dubai that he and his family are "heartbroken and in disbelief."

"I never meant to violate the law. It didn't cross my mind at the time, and I truly apologize for that. I am respectfully requesting forgiveness and clemency from His Highness, Sheikh Mohammed al Maktoum."

"I just want to go home. I’m asking you to return my life to me," the BBC reported.

At the same time, a representative from Downing Street commented, "The prime minister understands that this is a very troubling time for Marcus and his family."

The Foreign Office is frequently communicating with his family and legal representatives during this challenging period.

The Dubai government previously stated: "According to UAE law, the girl is considered a minor, and following internationally accepted protocols, her mother, as the legal guardian, submitted the complaint."

It also stated, "Dubai's legal system is dedicated to safeguarding the rights of every person and making sure that judicial processes are fair and unbiased."

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Radha Stirling, the CEO of Detained in Dubai, expressed in a social media update that the ruling was completely unacceptable and a shame for Britain. She emphasized that the UK government seems to be putting trade agreements ahead of the well-being of individuals.

"The Labour government should feel embarrassed for failing to ensure the safety of a young tourist. It was not a complicated task."