Dubai: The British beach sex couple, who were awarded a three-month suspended imprisonment, have turned themselves in to serve their sentence and they are currently detained at Dubai's Central Prison, Gulf News has learnt.
The 34-year-old male visitor, V.A., and his 36-year-old compatriot female, M.P., paid their Dh1,000 fine yesterday at noon after they turned themselves in to the Criminal Rulings' Execution Section at the Public Prosecution, their legal advisor Hasan Mattar told Gulf News.
The Dubai Court of Appeal had earlier suspended the Britons' three-month jail term after they were found guilty of indulging in sexual activity on Jumeirah beachside and committing public indecency.
Presiding Judge Mohammad Abdul Aziz Hafez upheld their Dh1,000 fine (for taking alcohol) and confirmed the couple's deportation order.
"The couple and I are still negotiating whether to lodge a petition to cancel their deportation order at the Attorney General's office. They handed themselves in and paid their fine," Mattar told the newspaper.
Gulf News spotted a policewoman escorting M.P. to the Court's detention centre around 12.20pm. Meanwhile V.A. was spotted walking towards the Public Prosecution building at the same time.
Sources told the newspaper that the duo was taken to the Central Prison in Al Awir pending the implementation of the deportation order.
Judge Hafez confirmed in the verdict sheet that incrimination of the couple had taken place for sexual activity on the beach and for committing public indecency.
The court rejected the convicts' denial of indulging in sexual activity in public and committing public indecency, and deemed it as a sheer attempt to avoid justice.
Leniency
According to articles 83 and 84 of the Federal Penal Code, the Appeal's Court treated the couple leniently by suspending the jail term and confirming that they will pay the fine before they are deported.
The couple had earlier handed the court a written undertaking in which they explained that they started their marriage procedures in Dubai.
However, they failed to obtain certain documents, which they vowed they would submit after they get a marriage approval from a church in London.
