British teenager Marcus Fakana begins Dubai jail sentence over holiday romance

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A British teenager sentenced to one year in a Dubai jail over a holiday romance with a 17-year-old girl has handed himself in to begin his sentence. “I’m grateful for all the people who helped by donating to me and my family of faith for supporting me.” According to campaign group Detained in Dubai, who has been representing Mr Fakana throughout his trial, allege that after returning to the UK and seeing pictures and chats, the girl's mother reported the relationship to Dubai police, who then arrested Mr Fakana at his hotel. open image in gallery Marcus Fakana met a fellow Londoner at his family’s Dubai hotel “We had a wonderful time together. Mr Fakana has called on the British government and Dubai’s ruler Sheikh Mohammed Al Maktoum to be allowed home and avoid prison.