A British teenager sentenced to one year in prison in Dubai after a “holiday romance” with a 17-year-old girl has surrendered himself to authorities to begin his sentence, according to a campaign group.

Marcus Fakana, 18, was with his family in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) when he met the girl, who is also from London and is now 18.

He was arrested and charged after the girl’s mother found their chats and pictures and called the Dubai police.

Campaign group Detained In Dubai previously said Fakana planned to appeal the sentence and urged UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy, who is the family’s MP in Tottenham, to intervene.

However, when asked about the case, the foreign secretary said people should “follow the rules” of other countries. He also said Fakana had “all the support available” from UK officials.

The head of Detained In Dubai, Rahda Stirling, said Fakana had now handed himself in to authorities and intended to serve his year-long sentence in Dubai’s al Awir prison.

She said he still hoped for a pardon from Dubai’s ruler, Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum, and help from Mr Lammy and the British embassy.

She said: “I worry about the impact of Dubai prison on an 18-year-old’s life. It wasn’t easy to find the words to say to him as he surrendered his freedom.”

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Ms Stirling also shared a message from Fakana, who said: “Thank you to everyone who has supported me throughout my fight.

“It’s been a long fight, but nothing is hard with my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ guiding me.

“I’m grateful for all the people who have helped by donating to me and my family of faith for supporting me.”

Fakana previously said the pair kept their romance secret from the girl’s family “because they were strict” and had hoped to continue seeing each other back in the UK.

However, he said police turned up at his family’s hotel and took him into custody without explanation.

Dubai is well known for its strict laws on drugs, alcohol and sex. The age of consent is 18 and strictly enforced.

In a previous statement, prosecutors said: “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.

“Dubai’s legal system is committed to protecting the rights of all individuals and ensuring impartial judicial proceedings.”

Britain looks set for a blustery, rainy and possibly snow-hit start to 2025, with much of the UK covered by yellow weather warnings for 1 January 1.

There are three Met Office weather warnings in place across the day, covering all of England, Wales and Northern Ireland, as well as southern Scotland.

Only northern parts of Scotland are not covered by the warnings – though another yellow weather alert for rain and snow is in place until 11.59pm on December 31.

Here’s what forecasters are predicting across the UK over the next few days, including the start of the new year.

England

There are several yellow weather warnings covering different parts of England over the next few days, including one on Monday.

That yellow alert for wind is in place for the North Pennines and Yorkshire Dales from 11am until 6pm.

It warns of potential disruption to travel in the area and the potential for short-term power cuts.

Another yellow weather warning for wind comes into place from 7am on New Year’s Eve. That covers the northeast of England, down towards Bridlington in East Yorkshire, and across towards Carlisle in the northwest.

It warns of “strong westerly winds” that could lead to travel disruption on New Year’s Eve.

All of England is then covered by a yellow weather alert for “very strong winds” from 9am on New Year’s Day, with a chance of disruption to travel services, and a slight chance of damage to buildings.

That warning is due to last until 6am.

Areas of northern England, including Manchester, Sheffield, Leeds, York, and Carlisle are also covered by a yellow weather warning for “heavy and persistent” snow from 9am on New Year’s Day until 3am on 2 January.

Wales

Wales is covered by two yellow weather warnings on New Year’s Day.

One alert, for heavy rain, covers a central belt of Wales from the north coast, to the south, and is in place from 9am until 9pm.

All of Wales is then covered by a yellow weather alert for “very strong winds” from 9am on New Year’s Day until 6am on 2 January, with a chance of disruption to travel services, and a slight chance of damage to buildings.

Scotland

Almost all of Scotland is covered by a yellow weather alert for rain and snow on Monday until 11.59pm on New Year’s Eve.

It warns that some homes and businesses could be flooded and there could be delays to travel services.

Orkney, which is not covered by this warning, is covered by another alert for snow lasting from 5am on New Year’s Eve until midnight.

Southern areas of Scotland, including Edinburgh and Glasgow, are also covered by another wind alert from 7am on New Year’s Eve until 11pm.

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Southern Scotland is also covered by a yellow weather warning for “heavy and persistent” snow from 9am on New Year’s Day until 3am on 2 January.

Northern Ireland

A yellow weather warning is in place for much of Northern Ireland, covering Belfast, Londonderry, Coleraine and Larne, from 6am until 7pm on New Year’s Eve.

The whole of Northern Ireland, from Derry to Enniskillen, and Newry to Ballycastle, was covered by a yellow weather alert for “heavy and persistent” snow from 7am until 11.59pm on New Year’s Day, but that has now been withdrawn by the Met Office.

Weather warnings are in place for snow, wind and rain across much of the UK on New Year’s Day. 

The start of 2025 will bring a “multi-hazard storm, combining severe gales, heavy rain and possibly significant snow as the rain runs into cold air,” said Sky News meteorologist Christopher England.

The most significant snowfall on New Year’s Day will be from Donegal, across Northern Ireland and into the north of England and south of Scotland.

The wind looks strongest in the south, Mr England added, where 60mph winds are possible inland and 80mph gusts around the coasts of the Irish Sea.

The stormy weather continues on 2 January, with the Met Office issuing yellow weather warnings across England, Wales and parts of Scotland.

The UK has faced widespread disruption over the last few days, as thick fog descended.

Tens of thousands of passengers had flights delayed or cancelled, while drivers were warned about dangerous conditions with poor visibility.

Revellers are also set for a “wet and rather windy” New Year’s Eve, with the potential for a snowy Hogmanay in Scotland.

There could be some “possibly disruptive weather” on 31 December, Met Office meteorologist Simon Partridge said, with Scotland likely to see the worst of it.

The Met Office issued a yellow weather warning for winds of up to 70mph that may cause travel disruption on New Year’s Eve.

The alert, in place from 7am until 11pm on Tuesday, covers most of Northern Ireland as well as north of York in England up to Glasgow, Edinburgh and Greenock.

The forecaster also warned that delays to transport are likely, with gusts of up to 60mph expected in most areas.

Those affected should check road conditions for driving and the latest travel information as well as preparing for in advance for potential power cuts.