A British teenager has been sentenced to one year in jail in Dubai for having sex with a 17-year-old girl while the pair were on holiday.

Marcus Fakana, an 18-year-old from Tottenham in north London, was on a trip with his parents when he struck up a holiday romance with the girl, who was staying at the same hotel.

Upon finding out about the relationship, the unnamed girl’s mother reported Fakana to Dubai police, and he was arrested.

In a statement, his lawyer said: “He was desperately hoping to come home this week but prosecutorial mishandling in the first stages of the case meant it wasn’t heard as a misdemeanour when it should have been.

Calling on a boycott of the nation, she added: “I urge young people and parents to reconsider holidays in Dubai where so many people find themselves at risk of unfair and lengthy detention in prisons notorious for human rights abuses and torture.

His family have issued a plea directly to Dubai ruler, Sheikh Mohammed Al Maktoum, to spare Mr Fakana a prison term over the sexual encounter, which would be legal in the UK.

Fakana claims he was unaware the girl, who is also from London and has since turned 18, was months younger than him when they first met.

Under UAE law, the girl is legally classified as a minor and her mother, being the legal guardian, filed the complaint.

An Emirati government spokesman said: “Dubai’s legal system is committed to protecting the rights of all individuals and ensuring impartial judicial proceedings.”

His lawyer said they are appealing the sentence.

His representative Radha Stirling, from Detained in Dubai, branded the sentence an “utter disgrace” and said Mr Fakana would appeal.

The Foreign Office has said it is in contact with the family.