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Beach sex couple's appeal begins Beach sex couple's case adjourned
(about 6 hours later)
Two Britons found guilty of having sex on a Dubai beach are set to challenge their convictions. Two Britons found guilty of having sex on a Dubai beach have had an appeal against their convictions adjourned.
Michelle Palmer, 36, of Oakham, Rutland, and Vince Acors, 34, of Bromley, south-east London, will make their case at Dubai's Court of Appeal. Michelle Palmer, 36, of Oakham, Rutland, and Vince Acors, 34, of Bromley, south-east London, have made their case at Dubai's Court of Appeal.
In October, they were both sentenced to three months in prison after being caught having sex on 5 July. They are on bail after being sentenced in October to three months in prison after they were caught on 5 July and fined for being drunk in public.
Prosecutors will also appear in court to argue that the couple's sentences should be increased. Their lawyer said a judge will make a decision on the appeal next Tuesday.
Palmer and Acors were found guilty of unmarried sex and public indecency at Dubai's Court of First Instance. Prosecutors have also appeared in court to argue that the couple's sentences should be increased.
As well as a prison term, they were fined 1,000 dirhams (£160; $350) for being drunk in a public place and issued with deportation orders.
Both are currently on bail in Dubai awaiting the outcome of their appeal.
Champagne brunchChampagne brunch
Lawyer Hassan Matter, who is representing the Britons, said the case would not be concluded on Tuesday. The pair's lawyer, Hassan Matter, said: "I made a good appeal and submitted a good defence today. Michelle and Vince are innocent.
"We will make our argument and the judge will consider it," he said. "The judge will make a decision at a later hearing." "The prosecution appealed in the same hearing today. They say the punishment needs to be bigger. They say it was a very small sentence."
Following their conviction, senior prosecutor Faisal Abdelmalek Ahli said he was "not happy" at their punishment. Palmer and Acors were found guilty of unmarried sex and public indecency at Dubai's Court of First Instance.
"It's very light," he said. "It's normal for a sentence to be six months to a year for an offence such as this." As well as a prison term, they were fined 1,000 dirhams (£160; $350) and issued with deportation orders.
The pair were arrested on Jumeirah Beach hours after meeting at a champagne brunch.The pair were arrested on Jumeirah Beach hours after meeting at a champagne brunch.
Palmer was sacked from her job in Dubai as a publishing executive after her arrest. Acors was visiting the emirate on holiday.Palmer was sacked from her job in Dubai as a publishing executive after her arrest. Acors was visiting the emirate on holiday.