UAE | Crime
Dubai beach sex couple pledged written marriage proposal
A higher court in Dubai on Tuesday suspended three-month jail terms against two Britons found guilty of having sex on the beach.
- By Bassam Za'za', Senior Reporter
- Published: 11:52 November 25, 2008
- The Court upheld a Dh1,000 fine and deportation verdict
- Image Credit: Gulf News Archive
Dubai: A British couple allegedly caught indulging in sexual activity on the beach - and later got a three-month suspended jail term - had submitted a written undertaking that they'll get married pending church approval from London.
Judges of the Dubai Court of Appeal on Tuesday suspended the three-month jail term against 34-year-old British male visitor and his 36-year-old compatriot female because they were convinced that the couple will not repeat their crime ever again.
Presiding Judge Mohammad Abdul Aziz Hafez confirmed in the verdict sheet that the couple was incriminated for sexual activity on the beachside and committing public indecency.
The court rejected the convicts', 34-year-old V.A. and 36-year-old M.P. denial of indulging in sexual activity in public and committing public indecency, and deemed it as a sheer attempt to avoid justice.
According to articles 83 and 84 of the Federal Penal Code, Presiding Judge Hafez treated the couple leniently by suspending the jail term and confirming that they will pay a fine of Dh1,000 (for consuming liquor) before they are deported.
The couple had earlier handed the court the written undertaking in which they explained that they started their marriage procedures in Dubai. However, they failed to obtain certain documents, which they vowed (in the undertaking) they will submit after they get a marriage approval from a church in London.
The Criminal Rulings Execution Section will refer the case to the Cassation's Public Prosecution, sources from whom, told Gulf News that they will study the verdict reasons after having them typed and decide whether there are any legal grounds to appeal the verdict.
The source explained that the Cassation's Public Prosecution appeals a verdict to the Cassation Court (Dubai's highest court) in cases of the unlawful implementation of the law or the law enforcement procedures.
The verdict sheet said: "The court granted V.A. and M.P. clemency after it considered the incident's circumstances and that the convict will not re-offend the law." Ruling out the possibility of the Cassation's Public Prosecution to appeal the verdict, the couple's lawyer Hasan Mattar told Gulf News: "This is a judicious ruling and confirms that justice in Dubai is independent and sheltered from any pressure especially the media... the court was lenient with my clients, who didn't intend to commit any offence, and due to the case's circumstances."
The couple, expected to appear for verdict's implementation, were found guilty in October of indulging in sexual activity in public and public indecency.
V.A. and M.P. denied having consensual sex on Jumeirah beachside and pleaded not guilty.
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