An 18-year-old Tottenham teenager has been detained in Dubai for having sex with a 17-year-old British girl.

Marcus Fakana was on holiday with his family in the UAE when a romance blossomed with the girl, who is also from London and is now 18, according to campaign group Detained in Dubai. 

The two were together in August and reportedly kept the relationship secret from her family.

And while she returned to the UK, with plans to continue exploring the relationship in London, Mr Fakana had police turn up to his family’s hotel and he was taken into custody.

He told the Detained in Dubai group: “They said they were taking me in for questioning but wouldn't tell me why. I couldn’t imagine what for. I was frightened and my parents were terrified.”

For three days he was held in a police station, unable to make a phone call or speak with his parents.

According to the group, Mr Fakana was reported to the police in Dubai after the girl’s family discovered the relationship.

Campaigners claim the teenager could face a 20-year jail sentence due to Dubai’s strict laws around sex out of marriage and strict age of consent laws.

Radha Stirling, CEO of Detained in Dubai, said: "The girl was just a few months younger than Marcus and he didn't know that at the time. Since his arrest, she has turned 18 and Marcus would not be facing 20 years in jail.

"This is not something Dubai should be prosecuting."

Mr Fakana can reportedly not leave the country during his time but he has been released from his cell.

The family is having to pay £2,000 for Airbnbs until his case is resolved.

A generic picture of DubaiA generic picture of Dubai (Image: PA)

"They earn a humble living, my mother is a cleaner and my dad works in a warehouse," Mr Fakana told Detained in Dubai.

"They saved up for this one-off holiday and they have now used all of their savings."

A Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office spokesperson said: “We are supporting a British man in the UAE and are in contact with his family."