British tourist faces 20 years in Dubai prison over relationship with 17-year-old girl

An 18-year-old British tourist, Marcus Fakana, faces a potential 20-year prison sentence in Dubai for having a relationship with a 17-year-old girl he met on holiday. The girl's mother reported the relationship to police after returning to the UK. Marcus was detained for three days after police arrived at his hotel. The relationship, which would be legal in the UK, has led to significant legal troubles for him in the UAE, where laws regarding age of consent are unclear. His family is currently in Dubai, facing mounting legal costs and seeking assistance from the British government. Recent legal reforms in the UAE allow tourists to engage in sexual relationships, but strict enforcement remains a concern.