A British teenager imprisoned in Dubai for engaging in sexual relations with a 17-year-old girl has made an appeal to the authorities for leniency.

Marcus Fakana, 19, from Tottenham in north London, received a one-year prison sentence last December after being involved in a consensual relationship with the girl, who is also a British national, during a holiday in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The age of consent in the UAE is 18.

The girl’s mother alerted UAE officials about Fakana—who was 18 at the time—after discovering messages between the two upon her return to the UK.

Fakana has reached out to Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai’s ruler, from Al Awir Prison, requesting his release.

Radha Stirling, the founder of Detained in Dubai, stated: “This ordeal has been profoundly traumatic and life-changing for Marcus.

“He is still very young and never set out to violate any laws. What transpired was both consensual and legal in the UK. Now, he faces irreversible harm to his mental well-being and future opportunities.”

Detained in Dubai reported that Fakana has only been able to contact his family intermittently for brief moments, emphasizing that this isolation has been emotionally and mentally devastating for both him and his relatives.

His parents have been urgently reaching out to Foreign Secretary David Lammy, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), and the British Embassy in Dubai, seeking support for his release.

“Marcus wishes he could turn back time. He has expressed regret and fully acknowledges the laws in the UAE. He simply hopes the government will act with compassion and permit him to return home to rebuild his life,” Ms. Stirling continued.

“This is a crushing way for someone young to embark on adulthood.”

“It’s crucial for parents to understand that teenagers can face legal repercussions in the UAE for behaviors that are not considered crimes back home, including relationships, social media activity, or even consuming alcohol,” Ms. Stirling noted.

Detained in Dubai cautioned that this case underscores the need for greater awareness and diplomatic protections for citizens traveling abroad.

“Marcus is struggling, and this experience will undoubtedly leave lasting effects,” Ms. Stirling asserted.

“We urge Sheikh Mohammed and the Dubai government to heed his pleas and allow him to return home.”

The Dubai government has previously stated: “According to UAE law, the girl is legally recognized as a minor, and, following internationally acknowledged procedures, her mother—acting as her legal guardian—filed the complaint.”

They also mentioned: “Dubai’s legal system is dedicated to safeguarding the rights of all individuals, ensuring fair judicial processes.”

The FCDO has been contacted for a response.