Latest news with #consensualrelationship
News.com.au
08-07-2025
- News.com.au
Major update after British teen jailed in Dubai over ‘holiday romance'
An 18-year-old who was jailed for having sex with a 17-year-old girl while on holiday in Dubai in a case that made global headlines has been freed. Marcus Fakana, now 19, met the fellow Londoner while visiting the United Arab Emirates with his parents in August last year and a 'holiday romance blossomed', according to campaign group Detained in Dubai, which brought widespread attention to the case. It was the girl's mother who reported the teens' relationship to Dubai police, reportedly once her family was back in the UK and messages were discovered between the young pair. Unlike in the teens' own country where the age of consent is 16 years old, it is 18 in the UAE. Police arrested Mr Fakana at his hotel and he was sentenced in December to a year's imprisonment. Now in a major update, it has been revealed Mr Fakana is back in the UK after receiving a royal pardon from Dubai's ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Detained in Dubai said Mr Fakana arrived back in the UK on July 3. The campaign group said Mr Fakana did not know the girl was under 18 years old at the time of their consensual relationship, and that she was just months younger than him. She is now 18. Detained in Dubai CEO Radha Stirling said Mr Fakana 'was nervous until the plane left the tarmac'. 'Marcus should never have been put through this,' she said in a statement. 'He was supposed to spend a short few days with his family but ended up spending nearly a year in the tourist destination. We are thrilled that after an intensive campaign, he was officially pardoned and is home safe, surrounded by those who love him.' Ms Stirling added: 'Dubai could have chosen to fine and to deport him. Instead, the 18 year old was sentenced to one year in prison. The impact on his life has been severe and there was no need for him to endure such trauma'. Speaking to the BBC, she warned parents to be aware their children could be charged in Dubai for behaviour that would not be considered criminal in their home country. In a previous statement, the government of Dubai had said: 'Under UAE law, the girl is legally classified as a minor and, in accordance with procedures recognised internationally, her mother — being the legal guardian — filed the complaint. 'Dubai's legal system is committed to protecting the rights of all individuals and ensuring impartial judicial proceedings.' Dubai is the largest city in the United Arab Emirates and is the home base of international airline Emirates. More Australians visited Dubai last year than ever before. There was a new record of 296,000 overnight visitors from Australia in 2024, which was also up 6 per cent year-on-year, according to Dubai's Department of Economy and Tourism. Overall, Dubai had a record 18.72 million international overnight visitors in 2024. Al Maktoum International Airport has plans to become the largest in the world by 2030, with a passenger capacity of 260 million annually. In addition to tourists, the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan projects the population will grow by 5.8 million people by the year 2040 – from 3.3 million in 2021 to 7.8 million. A significant portion of this population growth is expected to be expats, who benefit from a tax-free income policy.
BBC News
07-07-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Marcus Fakana: Teen jailed in Dubai for sex with girl is released
A British teenager jailed in Dubai for having sex with a 17-year-old girl has been released and is back in the Fakana, 19, from Tottenham, north London, was sentenced in December to a year's imprisonment after a consensual relationship with the girl, who is also British, while on holiday in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The age of consent in the UAE is has received a royal pardon from Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, campaign group Detained in Dubai has said. A Foreign and Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) spokesperson said: "He was released on a Eid pardon last week. "We understand he wanted to get back to the UK without media attention and to see his family. "We supported him and were in contact with them."Detained in Dubai's chief executive, Radha Stirling, said Mr Fakana "is currently recovering".She added: "His case has attracted significant public attention due to concerns about the criminalisation of tourists and disproportionate sentencing."We believe this case highlights the urgent need for expedited legal processes for foreign nationals and safeguards against unnecessary custodial sentences."Mr Fakana was with his parents in the UAE from the end of August last year when a "holiday romance blossomed", with another Londoner, who has since turned 18, the campaign group previously girl's mother reported Fakana to the UAE authorities after seeing messages between the two when she had returned to the Fakana recently wrote to Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the ruler of Dubai, from Al Awir Prison asking to be Eid pardon in Muslim countries can be given to inmates by the monarch or president as a gesture of compassion and a way to offer individuals a second chance during religious holidays. "Parents need to be aware that teens can be charged in the UAE for behaviour that would not be considered criminal at home, whether that's a relationship, social media activity, or even drinking alcohol," Ms Stirling government of Dubai previously said: "Under UAE law, the girl is legally classified as a minor and, in accordance with procedures recognised internationally, her mother - being the legal guardian - filed the complaint."It added: "Dubai's legal system is committed to protecting the rights of all individuals and ensuring impartial judicial proceedings."
BBC News
09-06-2025
- BBC News
Marcus Fakana: Teenager jailed in Dubai pleads for early release
A British teenager jailed in Dubai for having sex with a 17-year-old girl has pleaded with the authorities for Fakana, 19, of Tottenham, north London, was sentenced in December to a year's imprisonment after a consensual relationship with the girl, who is also British, while on holiday in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The age of consent in the UAE is girl's mother reported Fakana - who was aged 18 at the time - to the UAE authorities after seeing messages between the two when she had returned to the has written to Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the ruler of Dubai, from Al Awir Prison asking to be released. 'Heart-breaking start to adulthood' Radha Stirling, founder of Detained in Dubai said: "This has been the most traumatic and life-altering experience imaginable for Marcus."He is barely an adult himself, and never intended to break any law. What happened was legal in the UK and consensual. But now he is facing permanent damage to his mental health and future prospects because of it."Detained in Dubai said Fakana was only able to call his family sporadically for short periods, adding that the isolation had been mentally and emotionally devastating for both him and his loved ones. His parents have been urgently appealing to Foreign Secretary David Lammy, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and the British Embassy in Dubai for assistance in advocating for his release."If Marcus could go back in time, he would. He has shown remorse and fully respects the laws of the UAE. He only hopes the government will show compassion and allow him to return home to rebuild his life," Ms Stirling added."He's very young and this is a heart-breaking way to begin adulthood." "Parents need to be aware that teens can be charged in the UAE for behaviour that would not be considered criminal at home, whether that's a relationship, social media activity, or even drinking alcohol," Ms Stirling in Dubai warned that the case highlighted the need for increased awareness and diplomatic protections for citizens abroad."Marcus is struggling, and this experience will leave a permanent scar," Ms Stirling said. "We implore Sheikh Mohammed and the government of Dubai to hear his pleas and let him come home."The government of Dubai previously said: "Under UAE law, the girl is legally classified as a minor and, in accordance with procedures recognised internationally, her mother - being the legal guardian - filed the complaint."It added: "Dubai's legal system is committed to protecting the rights of all individuals and ensuring impartial judicial proceedings."The FCDO has been approached for comment.
Daily Mail
09-06-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Brit teen jailed in Dubai for sex with fellow UK tourist begs ruling Sheikh for pardon after 'most traumatic and life-altering experience imaginable'
A British teenager who was jailed in Dubai over a consensual relationship during a family holiday has begged for mercy from the emirate's leader. Marcus Fakana has formally submitted a plea for clemency to Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the ruler of Dubai. The 19-year-old was sentenced to one year in prison after he struck up a romantic relationship with a 17-year-old British girl. Both his family and the girl's family were on holiday at the time. Marcus, who was 18 when the relationship began, is currently being held in Al Awir Prison, where he has spent several months in isolating and harsh conditions. He has now placed his hopes on a humanitarian pardon from Dubai's leadership. 'This has been the most traumatic and life-altering experience imaginable for Marcus,' said Radha Stirling, founder of Detained in Dubai, which is supporting the teen's family. 'He is barely an adult himself and never intended to break any law. He had formally submitted a plea for clemency to Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the ruler of Dubai (pictured) 'What happened was legal in the UK and consensual. 'But now he is facing permanent damage to his mental health and future prospects because of it.' Prison conditions are reportedly taking a toll on Marcus, who is said to have only limited contact with his family. His parents have made repeated appeals to David Lammy MP, and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. They have also requested the British Embassy in Dubai to help secure his release. Radha said: 'If Marcus could go back in time, he would. 'He has shown remorse and fully respects the laws of the UAE. 'He only hopes the government will show compassion and allow him to return home to rebuild his life. 'He's very young and this is a heartbreaking way to begin adulthood.' The family is urging the British public and authorities to back their plea for clemency. They have warned of the legal risks young Britons face in countries with vastly different legal systems. Radha added: 'Parents need to be aware that teens can be charged in the UAE for behaviour that would not be considered criminal at home. 'Whether that's a relationship, social media activity, or even drinking alcohol. 'Marcus is struggling, and this experience will leave a permanent scar. 'We implore Sheikh Mohammed and the government of Dubai to hear his pleas and let him come home.' Marcus continues to pray that his voice will be heard, with pardons expected to be finalised this month. MailOnline has contacted the UK's Foreign Office for comment.
