UAE | Crime

British couple accused of beach sex in Dubai lodge appeal

A British couple, convicted last week of indulging in sexual activity in public, appealed their initial ruling on Monday and will seek a bail extension today, Gulf News has learnt.

  • By Bassam Za'za', Senior Reporter
  • Published: 00:55 October 21, 2008
  • Gulf News

  • Image Credit: Gulf News Archive
  • The couple convicted last week of indulging in sexual activity in public beach. Picture for illustrative purposes only.

Dubai: A British couple, convicted last week of indulging in sexual activity in public, appealed their initial ruling on Monday and will seek a bail extension today, Gulf News has learnt.

The Dubai Court of Misdemeanours sentenced 34-year-old British male visitor, V.A., and his 36-year-old compatriot female, M.P., to three months in jail followed by deportation.

The couple filed their appeal before the Public Prosecution's Criminal Rulings Execution Section on Monday around 12:30pm and were asked to return today to seek their bail extension, a public prosecution source told Gulf News on Monday.

"This is a very ordinary procedure...we usually request any convict [who was on bail at the time of the verdict pronouncement] to approach the Section early in the morning and seek a bail extension.

"The application is usually sent to an appeals judge to decide whether to extend the bail or not. A convict cannot remain on bail unless he/she submits an application to extend the bail," explained an official who requested anonymity.

The British couple's lawyer said earlier he would appeal his client's sentence.

The Misdemeanours Court convicted the couple for indulging in sexual activity and committing public indecency. They were also fined Dh1,000 each for consuming liquor.

Absence

The couple was on bail during the court proceedings and did not attend the verdict announcement on October 16. The lawyer told Gulf News earlier that he would submit his response in the appeal petition.

The lawyer who sought his clients' innocence earlier argued that the statements of the prosecution witnesses contradicted with the technical evidence.

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