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16/10/2008
Dubai 'Sex-On-Beach' Pair Sentenced
A British man and woman have been sentenced to three months in jail for having sex on a Dubai beach.
Michelle Palmer, 36, of Oakham, Rutland, and 34-year-old Vince Acors, of Bromley, south-east London were also fined 1,000 dirhams (£160) and ordered to be deported from the country.
The pair were found guilty during a short hearing at Dubai's Court of First Instance. They were arrested on Jumeirah Beach in July this year and charged with sex outside marriage, public indecency and drunkenness.
They had met a matter of hours previously at a champagne brunch at Dubai's five-star Le Meridien hotel.
The pair, who were not at the court to hear the ruling, have denied the charges. Their defence lawyers have vowed to appeal the sentences.
After the hearing Hassam Matter, representing Palmers and Acors, said: "We are making an appeal against the verdict.
"They are innocent. They are at home [in Dubai]. I have spoken to them. They are upset."
He also said medical examinations proved Miss Palmer did not have sex, and said a police officers' witness statement was "wrong".
Palmer, said in a statement her and Acors had been "just kissing and hugging". She has since been sacked from her job in Dubai as a publishing executive and it has been reported the 36-year-old has been treated in hospital recently for anxiety and depression.
However, speaking outside the court, Senior Prosecutor Faisal Abdelmalek Ahli said he was "not happy" with the sentence.
He added: "It's very light. It's normal for a sentence to be six months to a year for an offence such as this."
Mr Ahli also said he expected Acors and Palmer to serve their full three-month sentence in a Dubai prison.
(JM)
Michelle Palmer, 36, of Oakham, Rutland, and 34-year-old Vince Acors, of Bromley, south-east London were also fined 1,000 dirhams (£160) and ordered to be deported from the country.
The pair were found guilty during a short hearing at Dubai's Court of First Instance. They were arrested on Jumeirah Beach in July this year and charged with sex outside marriage, public indecency and drunkenness.
They had met a matter of hours previously at a champagne brunch at Dubai's five-star Le Meridien hotel.
The pair, who were not at the court to hear the ruling, have denied the charges. Their defence lawyers have vowed to appeal the sentences.
After the hearing Hassam Matter, representing Palmers and Acors, said: "We are making an appeal against the verdict.
"They are innocent. They are at home [in Dubai]. I have spoken to them. They are upset."
He also said medical examinations proved Miss Palmer did not have sex, and said a police officers' witness statement was "wrong".
Palmer, said in a statement her and Acors had been "just kissing and hugging". She has since been sacked from her job in Dubai as a publishing executive and it has been reported the 36-year-old has been treated in hospital recently for anxiety and depression.
However, speaking outside the court, Senior Prosecutor Faisal Abdelmalek Ahli said he was "not happy" with the sentence.
He added: "It's very light. It's normal for a sentence to be six months to a year for an offence such as this."
Mr Ahli also said he expected Acors and Palmer to serve their full three-month sentence in a Dubai prison.
(JM)
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