A teenager from North London has returned to the UK after being jailed in Dubai over a relationship that, while legal in Britain, led to serious consequences abroad.
Arrested after holiday romance
Marcus Fakana, 19, from Tottenham, had been visiting Dubai with his parents when a relationship developed with another British teenager. The girl, also from London, was 17 at the time, and the brief romance reportedly began during their trip in August last year.
But once the girl returned to the UK, her mother is understood to have contacted authorities in the United Arab Emirates. Dubai police arrested Marcus shortly afterwards, allegedly at his hotel. Under UAE law, anyone who engages in a sexual relationship with a person under 18 can face criminal charges — regardless of the laws in their home country.
One-year jail sentence sparked international concern
Marcus was sentenced to a year in prison after being found guilty of having a sexual relationship with a minor. His case made headlines in the UK, raising alarm about the risks young travellers face when unfamiliar with the legal systems in other countries.
Campaigners from Detained in Dubai, a UK-based legal advocacy group, took up his case. Their chief executive, Radha Stirling, warned the sentence would have long-term impacts on the young man’s mental health and future.
“What happened was legal in the UK and consensual,” she said at the time. “But now he is facing permanent damage to his mental health and future prospects because of it.”
Royal intervention sees Marcus freed
In June, Marcus made a public appeal to Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, asking for a humanitarian pardon so he could return home. His request was granted, and he has now been released under a royal decree.
A spokesperson for Detained in Dubai said, “His case has attracted significant public attention due to concerns about the criminalisation of tourists and disproportionate sentencing. We believe this case highlights the urgent need for safeguards against unnecessary custodial sentences.”
Campaigners warn other families of legal risks abroad
Stirling also issued a broader warning to parents and young people about the risks of travel to countries with strict moral laws.
“Parents need to be aware that teens can be charged in the UAE for behaviour that would not be considered criminal at home,” she said. “Whether that’s a relationship, social media activity, or even drinking alcohol.”
Marcus reportedly struggled during his time in prison, with limited contact with family and deteriorating mental health. Advocates stressed that while he is now free, the experience has left a lasting emotional scar.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has been approached for comment, but it remains unclear whether any diplomatic pressure was involved in the teen’s release.
For now, Marcus is back home in North London — but his case stands as a warning to others about the complex legal landscape facing tourists in certain parts of the world.
