UAE | Crime
Prosecutor seeks longer jail term for sex-on-beach couple
The British couple, who was convicted of indulging in sexual activity in public, might find themselves serving a longer jail term after the Public Prosecution appealed their initial verdict of a three-month imprisonment.
- By Bassam Za'za', Senior Reporter
- Published: 23:36 October 27, 2008
- Image Credit: Gulf News Archive
- The couple were found guilty of indulging in sexual activity on Jumeirah's beach. Picture for illustrative purposes only.
Dubai: The British couple, who was convicted of indulging in sexual activity in public, might find themselves serving a longer jail term after the Public Prosecution appealed their initial verdict of a three-month imprisonment.
On Sunday, the Public Prosecution appealed the initial verdict, which the Dubai Court of Misdemeanor handed on October 16, and has asked the Dubai Court of Appeal to stiffen the punishment and award the convicts, 34-year-old British male visitor, V.A., and his 36-year-old compatriot female, M.P., the toughest punishment applicable.
Judicial sources said according to article 358 of the Federal Penal Code, a suspect who is caught committing public indecency faces a minimum imprisonment of six months.
The source added that according to article 356 of the same Code, a suspect who is caught in consensual sex activity faces a minimum of one year in jail.
Presiding Judge Hamdi Mustafa Abu Il Khair awarded the couple three months in jail each followed by deportation after he found them guilty of indulging in sexual activity on Jumeirah's beach and committing public indecency (sexual interaction).
The duo were also fined Dh1,000 each for consuming alcohol.
Severity of crimes
"The law grants a judge the discretion to hand the toughest punishment applicable according to the crimes' severity," legal advisor Hani Hammouda said.
V.A. and M.P. appealed their verdict last week and their lawyer Hasan Mattar won them bail extension until the Dubai Court of Appeal adjourns on November 18.
Community Reports
-
Street lights needed
Authorities urged to act with haste before a major accident occurs in Al Nahda, Dubai
-
Motorists ignore stop sign on buses
Overtaking school vehicles can put students' lives at risk
-
Safety regulations flouted at Dubai work place
In Al Nahda 2, two workers were seen working on the crane boom at a height of 20m without a full body harness or safety net in violation of rules
-
Closing U-turns creates new risks
Authorities urged to reopen closed U-turns or construct new ones on Shaikh Khalid Al Qasimi Road in Sharjah
Latest news
- Move to promote Abu Dhabi tourism
- RTA: 0.25m YouTube, Facebook, Twitter followers
- DHA to open two more medical fitness centres
- Driver admits biting girl, 6, playing 'vampires'
- Help clean up Dubai beaches on Friday
- MasterChef's George Calombaris coming to UAE
- Dubai Appeal Court upholds death sentence
- Businesswoman denies making indecent gesture
- 369 truckers fined for traffic violations
- Al Ain Zoo: Four eland antelopes make debut
- Three men held for robbery in Sharjah
- Street lights needed
- Fund to settle unpaid loans of UAE citizens
- Dubai civic body trims costs to achieve surplus
- Fedex delivers when it comes to its employees
