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'Sex on beach' trial verdict due 'Sex on beach' trial pair guilty
(about 1 hour later)
A verdict is expected later in the trial of two Britons accused of having sex on a beach in Dubai. A British man and woman accused of having sex on a beach in Dubai have been found guilty.
Michelle Palmer, 36, of Oakham, Rutland, and Vince Acors, 34, of Bromley, south-east London, were arrested on 5 July.Michelle Palmer, 36, of Oakham, Rutland, and Vince Acors, 34, of Bromley, south-east London, were arrested on 5 July.
The pair deny charges of public indecency and having unmarried sex, but admit consuming alcohol. The pair denied charges of public indecency and having unmarried sex, but admitted consuming alcohol.
Prosecutors say that if found guilty they are likely to be jailed for between six months and one year. They have been sentenced to three months in jail. The offence could have carried a maximum of six years.
They would also be fined for being drunk. Earlier, senior prosecutor Faisal Abdelmalek Ahli, of the Dubai Public Prosecution, said the pair were likely to be jailed for between six months and one year.
Senior prosecutor Faisal Abdelmalek Ahli, of the Dubai Public Prosecution, said: "The judge will give a verdict during a short hearing. They will both be deported after serving their sentences.
"If found guilty of having unmarried sex in a public place, they are likely to be jailed for between six months and one year."
A guilty verdict at Dubai's Court of First Instance could in theory mean up to six years in jail.
The pair were arrested on Jumeirah Beach hours after meeting at a champagne brunch at the five-star Le Meridien hotel.The pair were arrested on Jumeirah Beach hours after meeting at a champagne brunch at the five-star Le Meridien hotel.
Miss Palmer, who worked in Dubai as a publishing executive, said in a statement they were "just kissing and hugging".Miss Palmer, who worked in Dubai as a publishing executive, said in a statement they were "just kissing and hugging".
Hassan Matter, who represents the pair, said they would be proved innocent. Hassan Matter, who represented the pair, had insisted they would be proved innocent.
He said witness statements, including one from a police officer, were "wrong" and medical examinations proved Miss Palmer did not have sex.He said witness statements, including one from a police officer, were "wrong" and medical examinations proved Miss Palmer did not have sex.