Family of Brit tourist, 18, who faces 20 years in UAE prison over fling with UK girl pleading for help from ruler of Dubai

The family of the teenager being held in Dubai over a holiday romance with a 17-year-old girl last night declared trying to free the teenager was a huge 'emotional battle'. The family of Marcus Fakana, from Tottenham, London, say his mental health is 'deteriorating' as he is stuck in Dubai facing the possibility of up to 20 years in a Dubai jail Marcus pictured with his family, who are hoping to raise £20,000 to help toward his legal fees Marcus was held in Dubai's 'notorious' Al Barsha Police Station for days after the 'strict' mother of the girl he had sex with on holiday this summer reported him to authorities. But in a devastating turn of events, Marcus - who had been on a family holiday celebrating his father's birthday - could face two decades inside a gruelling UAE prison after the girl's furious mother found out about the fling and informed police in Dubai upon returning back to the UK. The 18-year-old was detained in a notorious Dubai police station after the mother of a then 17-year-old girl he had a holiday romance with reported him to authorities The teenagers were planning to continue their relationship when they were back in London.But it is understood the mother had found out about their relationship when she went through her daughter's phone and found their chats and pictures, later sharing them with Dubai police from the safety of the UK. The girl has since turned 18 Marcus' parents have asked Dubai ruler HH Sheikh Mohammed Al Maktoum 'to please let our boy come home' The Mail on Sunday revealed last week that Foreign Secretary David Lammy had finally acted on desperate pleas to aid Marcus The organisation offers confidential legal help to people facing civil and criminal legal trouble in the UAE.