Brits Get 3 Months For Sex On Dubai Beach

Judge Hands Down Sentence For Tourist Couple Who Admit Drunkenness, Deny Intercourse

(AP)  A British couple charged with having sex on the beach were sentenced to three months in jail Thursday in a case that has caused controversy in this Gulf boom town.

The judge did not provide any details about his verdict, as is customary in Dubai, so it is unclear whether Michelle Palmer and Vince Acors were found guilty of engaging in intercourse, or some lesser offense.

The two Britons, who are both in their 30s and met at an all-you-can-drink champagne brunch before the alleged incident occurred, were arrested in July and later charged with sex outside of marriage, public indecency and drunkenness.

In addition to the three-month jail sentence, Judge Hamdi Mustafa Abu el-Khair levied a 1,000 dirham (US$272) fine against each of the defendants and ordered them to be deported from Dubai after serving their prison time.

"I will appeal (the verdict) and ask a judge to look at the medical report that says they did not have sex," their lawyer, Hassan Matter, told The Associated Press after Thursday's ruling.

Both previously admitted they were drunk but denied having sex. The two were not in the courtroom Thursday to hear the judge's verdict, and it was unclear if they would remain out of prison while their lawyer appealed the case.

Matter said he will submit his appeal after the judge issues a formal explanation of his verdict, which the lawyer expects in a week to 10 days. The defense has to file an appeal within 15 days.

"I think the judge gave a small punishment for a kiss, not sex on the beach," said Matter.

The couple could have received two years in prison if convicted of all charges.

Public displays of affection are illegal in Dubai — a city that has worked hard to cultivate an image as a haven for Western tourists and businesses in the Middle East but has a conservative legal code based on Islamic laws and tribal rules.

[gatofeo]

It''s too bad he wasn''t having *** with another man; in Middle Eastern countries that act is publicly decried but secretly practiced on a large scale.
Women are for procreation; *** with other men is for pleasure.
He could have pleaded indiscretion and probably been released if he''d been with a man.
She would, alas, still have been imprisoned for enjoying *** with a man or another woman.
The followers of the Koran have a 6th century mindset. They''re a vestige of a time when converting by the sword was not only acceptable, but expected.
Fact: Mohammed raised armies to convert non-believers by the sword.
Muslims in the Middle East are largely troglodytes. Their society hasn''t evolved past the 12th century.

[hap_mama]

sorry didnt know she is ur mother or sister and u like that smelly gas which leaks from her ***..i thought that gas makes her stinky???


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Posted by guy_hero at 07:20 AM : Oct 18, 2008



lmao....well said mate

[juwboy]

guy_hero:

What you called "an ugly stinky white woman in a bikini" was actually incredibly beautiful and probably fragrant.

On the other hand, the Arab woman next to her was almost certainly ugly and stinky.

That`s why she covered herself in layer upon layer of black clothes from head-to-toe and hid her face.

[juwboy]

guy_hero -- a subhuman feral Arab jihadist posing as a patriotic American.

Yes, you`re absolutely right. If you`re in someone else`s country, you should respect their laws.

So, why do Moslems in other people`s countries kill their "wayward" daughters by pouring gasoline over them and setting them alight because they`ve committed the "outrageous" Moslem crime of besmirching their family`s honor?

[Keith Geddes]

For a start I thought they were business people working out there and not tourists? Whether they had *** or not.. if they were warned more than once as I read originally, it still serves them both right for doing whatever they were doing.. YOUNG IDIOTS who thought they had the right to do anything.. they should think themselves lucky not to have Arabic law thrown at them. I didnt know Dubai law was `easier` on the West in order to allow business realations, but they still flouted it, so more fool them. WILL they learn.. well, they have a reputation now that may mean more to them.. oh dear. SHE`LL be in demand.

[bradosol]

Someone posted the view that the guy should be hanged, "or at least castrated". Someone else compared British people to dogs.

Yes, well, we get the message that some people believe a man and woman having it off is the worst crime imaginable - worse than murder, armed robbery, rape or beating up old ladies.

These two made a silly mistake in another country. They''ll do their time - maybe less than the three months - and hopefully get on with their lives.

Good luck to them.

[swingset4u]

drmaqazi: This story has NOTHING to do with adultry.

[formrusmcsgt]

Apparently, these two didn''t have the self-control to get a room before getting down....

[juwboy]

JimB21:

Dubai has relaxed Islamic law for non-Moslems in order to promote its international business interests and develop its expanding tourist industry.

A TV news report yesterday showed European women in bikinis walking along a beach-front sidewalk next to Dubai women covered from head to toe in typical traditional black Islamic outfits.

[JamesB621]

I''ve lived in more than one foreign country, it''s always been my obligation to learn their laws, customs, courtesies and language. I don''t see why they should be any different than anyone else visiting any other country. A general rule of thumb; If it''s unacceptable in your own country, it''s probably unacceptable there too. Even more so in an Islamic country! Except for the champagne part, being an Islamic country, I don''t get that one at all!

[Kimbakat]

Great! Corporations and Wealthy people want to go here.

WHY?

Can you at least "F A R T" in public there?
Sheesh!!!

[Kimbakat]

Great! Corporations and Wealthy people want to go here.

WHY?

Can you at least "***" in public there?
Sheesh!!!

[bohemiansf]

No more trips to Dubai. Crazy.

[winnerindia]

remind me not to go to Dubai for drinking holidays!!!

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Posted by jennasmith2 at 04:27 PM : Oct 16, 2008


I absolutely agree with you. When we know that you can''t drink there and a number of such other activities, then whats the need to spoil holidays and live under unjustified restrictions?

[winnerindia]

When in Rome, do what the Romans do.

If you go to any country, you must obey their laws and if you can''t get ready to see hosts in the court room! The couple was a plain stupid!

[questionnews]

Here''''s a clue: When going to foreign countries, learn their laws and obey them!


Posted by hypnotoad72 at 07:00 PM : Oct 16, 2008

Is that analogous to how in Mexico it''s commonplace for 45 & 50 years old men to pursue & date 13 & 14 year old girls, but when they do that in the US they find themselves in jail for rape and don''t understand what the big deal is??

[swingset4u]

Okay, you have heard it, probably even said it... "If you come to our country obey our laws" Now the way I see it they broke the law. So for those of you hypocrites who like to shoot of your mouths remember what you have said once before.

[hypnotoad72]

Here''s a clue: When going to foreign countries, learn their laws and obey them!

[cyberdjs4]

Come Visit Dubai: The Glass Paradise.
This ain''t Vegas; It Only Looks Like It.
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Sorry Sheiks:

If I am going to spend the money required to go there, I am definitely going to **** anything that moves.

This is your mess; not ours.

[questionnews]

The only difference here is that this incident happened in Dubai and because of that it is somehow seen that these ''''tourists'''' got the short end of the stick. The way i see it...they got exactly what they deserved. Good for the Dubai people for sticking up to their principles and not releasing them just because they are from Europe.

Posted by crescentgirl at 04:25 PM : Oct 16, 2008

"these ''''tourists'''' got the short end of the stick"

Did you sneak a joke in there crescentgirl???