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London teen jailed for one year in Dubai after 'holiday romance' with 17-year-old girl (www.mylondon.news)

submitted 1 day ago by [email protected] to c/nottheonion

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Marcus, from Tottenham, North London, had been enjoying a holiday with his parents when he met a fellow Brit at the same hotel. A holiday fling sparked and the pair spent time together until the girl, also from London, flew back to Britain.

In Dubai, if an adult has a sexual relationship with a person under 18, they can be prosecuted for having a sexual relationship with a minor. The relationship would be legal in the UK.

Marcus and his parents were set to fly back shortly after - but their plans were thrown into chaos when police knocked on their hotel room door. The "terrified" teenager was then reportedly hauled in for questioning without any explanation and held at the Al Barsha Police Station, DID said. He spent three days there, during which time he was not allowed to make a phone call or speak with his parents, it is claimed.

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[–] [email protected] 72 points 20 hours ago (3 children)

Hard to feel sorry about anyone travelling to Dubai.

[–] raspberriesareyummy 14 points 5 hours ago

Correct for adults, but this was the kid travelling with his parents. It's likely that the decision was the parents' - also, most kids are not very well-versed in politics.

[–] FlyingSquid 1 points 5 hours ago* (last edited 5 hours ago)

I'm pretty sure his parents were the ones making the trip and he was forced to come along whether he wanted to or not what with him living under his parents' roof.

[–] victorz 2 points 17 hours ago (2 children)

You don't have to be rich to travel there. My brothers and their mother traveled there, not rich by any means. I'm probably more well off, but I haven't been there. 🤷‍♂️

But maybe that wasn't your point? Sorry if I assumed incorrectly!

[–] [email protected] 10 points 8 hours ago (2 children)

I think you're right, but also it says something about the personality too. I know great, respectable people in their own way who have gone there, but in general I agree with the vibe that it's for "rich people who don't care about inequality"

[–] Tangent5280 2 points 6 hours ago

This is only applicable to people who have a wide variety of choices to pick from - if you ca only choose Dubai because your parents worked there as expats then you're probably in the clear.

[–] victorz -1 points 8 hours ago

Knowing my family, Hanlon's razor definitely applies here. People do not always know what's going on politically or otherwise in a tourist place they visit. My family are not "great respectable people" (they're good people though), so I'm gonna go with ignorance, for sure. 😅

[–] Jumi 25 points 10 hours ago (2 children)

They meant traveling to a pseudo-religious dictatorship

[–] [email protected] 0 points 4 hours ago

Yes, definitely! People should be allowed to break the law of the land if they disagree with it!