A British teenager who was sentenced to one year in a Dubai jail following a holiday romance with a 17-year-old girl from London has handed himself in to UAE authorities.
Marcus Fakana, from North London, was sentenced to a one-year prison term following a short relationship with the teenage girl, who is now also 18.
The Tottenham-born teenager has now handed himself in to Dubai authorities to begin his sentence at the notorious Al Awir prison - a maximum security jail.
The incident, which took place during a family holiday in September, saw Mr Fakana subsequently arrested in Dubai after the girl and her family had returned to the UK.
The teen had previously pleaded with the emirate's ruler to "let me go home" after his sentence was handed down, admitting his family were "devastated and in shock."
In a message posted before entering prison, the student wrote: "Thank you to everyone who has supported me throughout my fight
It's been a long fight but nothing is hard with my Lord and saviour Jesus Christ guiding me," he continued.
"I'm grateful for all the people who helped by donating to me and my family of faith for supporting me."
Detained In Dubai, a campaign group representing those like Fakana who are held in the UAE, said the teen felt "abandoned by the British government" following the judgement.
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