Family of Brit teen who faces 20 years in UAE prison over fling with UK girl speaks out

Marcus Fakana, from Tottenham, north London, was arrested for having a sexual relationship with the 17-year-old girl while he and his family were on holiday in the United Arab Emirates

The family of the teenager being held in Dubai over a holiday romance with a 17-year-old girl has declared trying to free the teenager is a huge "emotional battle".

Marcus Fakana's desperate parents have begged HH Sheikh Mohammed Al Maktoum, the ruler of Dubai to let their son come home. The 18-year-old man was arrested for having a sexual relationship with the girl, also British, while the family were on holiday in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). He has been detained there awaiting trial early next month. In a new statement, his family said: "We are praying for the day we can be returned with Marcus."

His parents said: "We've sought assistance from Foreign secretary David Lammy to ensure his right to upheld and we ask HH Sheikh Mohammed Al Maktoum, the ruler of Dubai, to please let our boy come home. This ordeal has caused us terrible emotional and financial strain and every day is an emotional battle."

The boy's family, who are from Tottenham, north London, said they were grateful for the continued support from the public, the media and friends and family who "have been incredible and gives us hope".

But Marcus could be locked up for up to 20 years in the UAE jail, after the girl's furious mother found out about the fling and informed police in Dubai upon returning back to the UK. While the relationship would have been legal in the UK, under Dubai law a 17-year-old is defined as a child. The girl has since turned 18, it is understood.

The couple, who had met while staying at the same hotel with their families, "had a wonderful time together", but it is understood the girl met Marcus in secret as she feared she could not tell her mother she was seeing a boy.

More than £24,000 has been raised to help the legal fight to return Marcus to Britain, but the family warned that a fake GoFundMe page is also in existence.

Marcus was held in Dubai's "notorious" Al Barsha Police Station for days after the girl's mother reported him to authorities. It is believed the mother had found out about their relationship when she went through her daughter's phone and found their chats and pictures, later sharing them with Dubai police from the safety of the UK.

Setting up a GoFundMe page to raise money for legal fees to bring him home, Marcus' family said: "What was meant to be a happy time has turned into a nightmare for him, our family, and our friends. This has happened as a result of someone trying to misuse UAE law against him.

"He is being charged with a crime that could lead to imprisonment for up to 20 years. He is only 18 years old, very scared, and his mental health is starting to decline."