A trial date has been set for an 18-year-old Tottenham teenager who has been detained in Dubai for having sex with a 17-year-old 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 – but Mr Fakana has been unable to return to the UK after he was taken into custody when police in Dubai became aware of what was happening.

The government of Dubai told the BBC: “Under UAE law, the girl is legally classified as a minor, and in accordance with procedures recognised internationally, her mother – being the legal guardian – filed the complaint.”

A trial is now set to take place on December 9.

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

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.

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."

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