U.K. Pair Appeals Dubai Sentence For Sex

A British couple convicted of having sex on a beach in Dubai have appealed the verdict.

Michelle Palmer and Vince Acors were sentenced Thursday to three months in prison.

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

The two were detained in July and charged with engaging in sex outside of marriage, drunkenness and public indecency.

Their lawyer, Hassan Matter, confirmed an appeal was filed Monday, but refused to elaborate on its content.

The Dubai's Public Prosecutor's office says a hearing on the appeal is scheduled for Nov. 18.

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.

"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.

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.