Marcus Fakana, an 18-year-old from North London, was detained in Dubai after starting a relationship with a British girl who was 17 years and 11 months old while both were on holiday with their families. Under UAE law, the minimum age of consent is 18 with no exceptions for small age differences.
The situation began when the girl’s mother found private messages and photos on her daughter’s phone and reported them to Dubai authorities. Marcus was arrested in December 2024 and later sentenced to one year in prison for sexual activity with a minor under local law.
In the UK, his family and supporters described the punishment as severe given the one-month age gap. They worked with the advocacy group Detained in Dubai to raise awareness of the case and launched a GoFundMe campaign to help cover legal fees and travel costs. Public rallies and calls for clemency took place in London, highlighting the risks of misunderstanding local laws when traveling abroad.
Marcus formally appealed for clemency, writing to Dubai’s ruler, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who is the Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and the Ruler of Dubai. On July 3, 2025, Sheikh Mohammed granted him a royal pardon, leading to his release.
Marcus has now returned to the UK, where his family says he is recovering at home and hopes to rebuild his life after what they describe as a traumatic experience.
