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Sex-on-beach trial Britons guilty Sex-on-beach trial Britons guilty
(about 1 hour later)
A British man and woman have been sentenced to three months in jail in Dubai after being found guilty of having sex on a beach.A British man and woman have been sentenced to three months in jail in Dubai after being found guilty of having sex on a beach.
Michelle Palmer, 36, of Oakham, Rutland, and Vince Acors, 34, of Bromley, south-east London, were arrested on 5 July.Michelle Palmer, 36, of Oakham, Rutland, and Vince Acors, 34, of Bromley, south-east London, were arrested on 5 July.
The pair had denied charges of public indecency and having unmarried sex.The pair had denied charges of public indecency and having unmarried sex.
They were fined 1,000 dirhams (£160;$350) and will be deported after serving their sentences.They were fined 1,000 dirhams (£160;$350) and will be deported after serving their sentences.
The pair were not at Dubai's Court of First Instance to hear the ruling but had been ordered not to leave the emirate.The pair were not at Dubai's Court of First Instance to hear the ruling but had been ordered not to leave the emirate.
Their defence lawyer Hassan Matter had insisted they would be proved innocent and said they were upset by the verdict.Their defence lawyer Hassan Matter had insisted they would be proved innocent and said they were upset by the verdict.
"We are making an appeal against the verdict. They have not been arrested and taken into custody yet," he said."We are making an appeal against the verdict. They have not been arrested and taken into custody yet," he said.
"I have 15 days to appeal. I have to find the reason why the judge gave three months.""I have 15 days to appeal. I have to find the reason why the judge gave three months."
'Kissing and hugging''Kissing and hugging'
The pair were arrested on Jumeirah Beach hours after meeting at a champagne brunch at Dubai's five-star Le Meridien hotel. The pair were arrested on Jumeirah Beach hours after meeting at a champagne brunch at Dubai's five-star Le Meridien hotel.Advertisement
A guide to acceptable behaviour in DubaiA guide to acceptable behaviour in Dubai
A police officer told the court he had warned the pair about their inappropriate behaviour, but returned later to find them having sex on a sun lounger.A police officer told the court he had warned the pair about their inappropriate behaviour, but returned later to find them having sex on a sun lounger.
Palmer, who was sacked from her job in Dubai as a publishing executive after her arrest, said in a statement she and Acors had been "just kissing and hugging".Palmer, who was sacked from her job in Dubai as a publishing executive after her arrest, said in a statement she and Acors had been "just kissing and hugging".
Mr Matter said witness statements, including one from the police officer, were "wrong" and medical examinations had proved Palmer had not had sex on the beach.Mr Matter said witness statements, including one from the police officer, were "wrong" and medical examinations had proved Palmer had not had sex on the beach.
Friends of Palmer say she has been admitted to hospital in recent weeks suffering from anxiety and depression.Friends of Palmer say she has been admitted to hospital in recent weeks suffering from anxiety and depression.
The case has turned the spotlight on the lifestyle of the 120,000 British residents of the United Arab Emirates.The case has turned the spotlight on the lifestyle of the 120,000 British residents of the United Arab Emirates.
The BBC's Christian Fraser, in Dubai, says there have been concerns lately that tourists are ignoring the emirate's strict Islamic laws and that the outcome of this case will be a warning that such drunken behaviour will not be tolerated in public.The BBC's Christian Fraser, in Dubai, says there have been concerns lately that tourists are ignoring the emirate's strict Islamic laws and that the outcome of this case will be a warning that such drunken behaviour will not be tolerated in public.