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Dubai adultery conviction upheld Dubai adultery conviction upheld
(about 2 hours later)
A British mother's conviction for adultery in Dubai has been upheld by the Emirates Appeal Court, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has said. A British mother's conviction for adultery has been upheld by an appeal court in Dubai, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has said.
The FCO said Marnie Pearce's sentence was reduced from six to three months. She was also ordered to pay a fine of 3,000 Dirhams and will be deported. Marnie Pearce's sentence was reduced to three months, she was fined 3,000 Dirhams (£593), and will be deported.
Ms Pearce, 40, from Bracknell, Berks, was convicted of adultery in November. Ms Pearce says her husband accused her of adultery so he could gain custody of their two children, a claim he denies.
She claimed she was framed by her ex-husband Ihab El-Labban, who accused her of cheating on him. He denies this. She told the BBC the sentence was effective immediately and she was certain she would lose her children.
They had two children together, Ziad, four, and Laith, seven. 'Lost my children'
Speaking from Dubai, Ms Pearce, 40, who is on bail and was not present at the hearing, said: "I know I'm going to prison… when they catch up with me."
"I'm going to prison, what more can I say about it... I've lost my children, I just need somebody to do something for me."
She said she intends to appeal the decision to a higher court. Before the appeal court reduced her sentence she had been facing six months in prison.
Ms Pearce, who is originally from Bracknell in Berkshire, was convicted of adultery in November.
'Only a friend''Only a friend'
She insists she is innocent and said she feared losing custody of her sons. She denies the adultery claims made by her ex-husband, Egyptian national Ihab El-Labban.
Ms Pearce remained on bail while she attempted to overturn her conviction - it is unclear whether she will have to start her sentence immediately. They had two children together, Ziad, four, and Laith, seven.
She first met her ex-husband in Oman and married him in the Seychelles in September 1999.She first met her ex-husband in Oman and married him in the Seychelles in September 1999.
They moved to Dubai but the relationship eventually broke down.They moved to Dubai but the relationship eventually broke down.
In March last year she was arrested and accused of committing adultery with a British man who she insists was only a friend.In March last year she was arrested and accused of committing adultery with a British man who she insists was only a friend.
She contacted Bracknell Conservative MP Andrew MacKay, who has raised her case with Foreign Office Minister Lord Malloch-Brown.She contacted Bracknell Conservative MP Andrew MacKay, who has raised her case with Foreign Office Minister Lord Malloch-Brown.