British Teenager Faces 20 Years in Dubai Jail Over Relationship With 17-Year-Old

Marcus Fakana, 18, was arrested after the mother of his holiday romance partner reported their relationship to Dubai police under the UAE's strict legal code.

Marcus Fakana, an 18-year-old from London, was arrested in Dubai after having a consensual relationship with a 17-year-old girl, also from London, during a family vacation in August.
The girl's mother reported the relationship to Dubai authorities after discovering chats and photos on her daughter's phone upon her return to the UK.
Fakana was held for three days at Al Barsha Police Station without being allowed to contact his parents and is now out on bail but unable to leave Dubai.
Under UAE law, consensual sex is only legal if both participants are over 18, though the relationship would not have been illegal in the UK.
Fakana's family, struggling with mounting legal and accommodation costs, has called on UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy to intervene in the case.