Teenager jailed in Dubai for family holiday romance appeals to Sheikh for pardon

Marcus Fakana is serving a year’s sentence in Dubai for a relationship with a 17-year-old girl British girl (Picture: Detained in Dubai/PA Wire)

A British teenager has asked Dubai’s ruler for a pardon after he was jailedover a holiday romance.

Marcus Fakana, from Tottenham, north London has formally submitted a plea for clemency to Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

The now 19-year-old was sentenced to one year in prison in UAE last year following a short romantic relationship in which he had sex with a 17-year-old British girl.

Both his family and the girl’s family were on holiday in the middle eastern country at the time.

The relationship between them was consensual but it’s illegal to have sex with anyone under 18 in Dubai.

Marcus, who has spent several months in Al Awir Prison, hopes the Sheikh will offer a humanitarian pardon, so he can return home before his sentence is due to end, reports NeedToKnow.

‘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.

Protesters campaign for Marcus’s release (Picture: Vuk Valcic/ZUMA Press Wire/Shutt)

‘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.’

Conditions at the prison are said to be taking a toll on Marcus, who is thought to have limited contact with his family.

The mother of the girl he had a relationship with reported him to Dubai police after she and her family had returned to the UK and she saw pictures of the pair and chats between them.

The then 18-year-old and his family were still in Dubai at the time and police arrested him at their hotel.

Marcus has applied for a pardon from Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum (Picture: Getty Images Europe)

His parents have made repeated appeals to David Lammy MP, and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

They have also asked the British Embassy in Dubai to help secure his release.

Ms Stirling 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.

Marcus’s family is urging the British public and authorities to back their plea for clemency (Picture: Vuk Valcic/ZUMA Press Wire/Shutt)

Ms Stirling warned other parents to be aware of the risks young Britons face in countries with very different legal systems.

She said: ‘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.’

Pardons are expected to be finalised this month.

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