18-yr-old British arrested after Dubai holiday romance with 17-yr-old girl; faces up to 20 years jail term in UAE

An 18-year-old British boy has been jailed in Dubai for sleeping with a girl he met on holiday.

Marcus Fakana, of Tottenham, north London, was on holiday with his family when he began a secretive holiday romance in September with a 17-year-old British, according to a human rights campaign group Detained in Dubai.

After returning home and seeing pictures and chats, the girl's mother reported the relationship to Dubai police, who then arrested Fakana at his hotel, the campaigner said.

Despite their relationship being legal in the UK, a 17-year-old is categorized as a child under Dubai law. She has since turned 18.

His family set up a GoFundMe page and said: "What was meant to be a happy time has turned into a nightmare for him, our family, and our friends. This has happened as a result of someone trying to misuse UAE law against him. He is being charged with a crime that could lead to imprisonment for up to 20 years."

Marcus is still trapped abroad as he tries to fight his case, seeking advice from Detained in Dubai. However, his family still need to raise £20,000 to help support his legal fees, accommodation and travel costs to return to London.