The family of a British teenager who is facing the prospect of up to 20 years in prison in Dubai have thanked people for donating to a GoFundMe set up to help him.
18-year-old Marcus Fakana went on holiday to Dubai with his family in August, and while over there he struck up a romance with a 17-year-old fellow Brit.
The girl kept this relationship secret from her parents but after they returned to the UK her mother found out and alerted the authorities in Dubai, who went to Marcus' hotel room and arrested him.
He then spent three days in jail unable to contact anyone and on 9 December is set to be put on trial for breaking the law.
Dubai very recently changed their laws to allow tourists visiting the country to have sex outside marriage, but the minimum age in the Middle Eastern country is 18.
A GoFundMe for Marcus Fakana has raised a significant sum to help his family. (Family Handout)
While the relationship between Marcus and the 17-year-old fellow Brit, who has since turned 18 in the meantime, would have been legal back home in the UK it has landed the Tottenham lad in trouble as he could be sentenced to up to 20 years in prison in Dubai.
Marcus is stuck in Dubai living in a series of Airbnbs, which is costly for his family who are also having to find money to fund his legal defence, and while he awaits trial his family have returned to the UK so they can work and support him.
To help with this they set up a GoFundMe, which you can see here, in the hopes of raising at least £20,000 and at time of writing they have received over £27,000 in just a few days.
In an update on the fundraiser they said: "Thank you so much for all your well wishes and your donations.
"This will go a long way in the fight to get Marcus back home. Marcus and his family cannot believe how generous you have all been and are super grateful to you all."
The legitimate GoFundMe has raised plenty of money, though the family warned people about fake pages being set up. (GoFundMe)
However, there has also been a warning about a fake GoFundMe page that is being circulated online which would attempt to siphon donations away from helping Marcus.
The family also spoke out on the impact this has had on the 18-year-old, who in under two weeks is expected to begin his trial with the next two decades of his life on the line.
"What was meant to be a happy time has turned into a nightmare for him, our family, and our friends," the family explained.
"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.
Radha Stirling, CEO of human rights group Detained in Dubai, said that Marcus didn't know the fellow Brit was 'a few months younger' than him when they met on holiday.
English (US) ·