'Sex on beach' couple begin appeal

9:10am Tuesday 18th November 2008

A British couple who had sex on a Dubai beach have appeared in court to begin an appeal against their conviction.

Michelle Palmer, 36, of Oakham, Rutland, and 34-year-old Vince Acors, of Bromley, south east London, were found guilty of having unmarried intercourse and public indecency last month. They had previously admitted being drunk.

The pair were arrested in the early hours of July 5 after being seen by a police officer having sex on Jumeirah Beach. They had met earlier at a champagne brunch at a five-star hotel on the emirate.

Speaking outside the Dubai Court of Appeal, Hassan Matter, who is representing Palmer and Acors, said the proceedings had yet to be concluded.

"We are waiting for the judge to give us a date for the next hearing," he said. "We will not have verdicts today."

He confirmed Palmer and Acors, who are both on bail, had attended court.

Last month, Palmer and Acors were sentenced to three months in jail, issued with deportation orders and fined 1,000 dirhams (£155).

Prosecutors are appealing against the sentence imposed, saying it was "very light".