CNN —Holiday romances are the stuff of rom-coms and chick-lit — but not for 18-year-old Marcus Fakana, who is facing a one-year prison sentence for his summer fling.
But when the 17-year-old girl returned to the United Kingdom, her mother discovered the relationship and reported Fakana to Dubai police.
I wasn’t allowed to call anyone, including my parents,” Fakana told CNN in a written statement shared by his legal advisory team, Detained in Dubai.
Marcus Fakana, 18, was handed a one-year prison sentence in Dubai on December 11, 2024.
Towey, who lived in Dubai for one year, says her partner became physically abusive after they moved in together.
Persons:
Marcus Fakana, Fakana, ” Fakana, ”, “, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum, Radha Stirling, City of Gold, Stirling, Azaan Salahuddin, Salahuddin, David Lammy, Keir Starmer, Marcus, ” Tori Towey, Ann Flynn, Caroline, David Young, Tori Towey, ” Towey, Towey, wasn’t, “ It’s, Fakana’s, “ I’ve, it’s, ” Stirling, there’s
Organizations:
CNN, Dubai police, United, United Arab Emirates, monarchy’s, Al, Foreign, British, Dublin Airport, Emirates, International Association for Suicide Prevention, Befrienders, Dubai Central
Locations:
London, Dubai, British, United Kingdom, United Arab, City of, Stirling, UAE, Northern Irish, “, Fakana’s, Tottenham