An 18-year-old Briton, Marcus Fakana, faces a possible 20-year prison sentence in Dubai after being charged with having a relationship with a then-17-year-old girl during a family holiday. The Tottenham native was detained after police were alerted by the girl’s mother, who discovered their holiday romance through messages and photos on her daughter’s phone.

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Marcus and the girl, whose identity remains protected, met during a family trip to Dubai in August. Their budding romance, which included discreet meetups to avoid the girl’s strict family, was meant to continue back home in London. The girl turned 18 shortly after the trip, and their relationship would have been completely legal in the UK. However, the girl’s mother, described as "strict," reported the relationship to Dubai authorities upon finding out. This led to Marcus’s arrest at his hotel and three days of detention at the notorious Al Barsha Police Station.

Marcus shared his fear during the ordeal, saying, “Police knocked on our hotel door, took me for questioning, and wouldn’t tell me why. I was frightened, and my parents were terrified.” The teen was released on bail but cannot leave the UAE. His family, who had saved for years for the holiday, is now spending £2,000 per month to support him in Dubai while he faces legal proceedings.

Dubai’s laws on relationships and consent remain strict and complex. The country recently allowed tourists to engage in consensual relationships outside of marriage, but the legal age of consent is not clearly defined. Under Islamic law, a child is anyone under 18 years old, which complicates Marcus’s case. Radha Stirling, CEO of Detained in Dubai, criticized the mother’s decision to involve the police, warning, “This is a private matter that is completely legal in the UK. Reporting it to Dubai authorities could destroy this young man’s future.”

Marcus’s family is pleading with the UK government, urging Foreign Secretary David Lammy to intervene and appeal to Dubai authorities for leniency. "I pray this nightmare will be over, and I’ll be home for Christmas," Marcus said. Radha Stirling added, “Dubai police have the power to drop this case and let Marcus go home. Parents must think twice before taking older teenagers to countries with such strict laws.”

The case highlights the UAE's strict Islamic legal system, which has led to the detention of tourists for behaviours considered normal in their home countries. Past incidents include a British couple jailed in 2010 for kissing in public. While Dubai has eased regulations around relationships, alcohol, and vaping, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the legal risks travellers may face.