Appeal verdict due next week in 'sex on beach' case
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Your support makes all the difference.A British couple who had sex on a Dubai beach will find out if their appeal has been successful next week, their lawyer said today.
Michelle Palmer, 36, of Oakham, Rutland, and 34-year-old Vince Acors, of Bromley, south-east London, were sentenced to three months in jail and issued with deportation orders last month.
Hassan Matter, who is representing the pair, outlined their case at the Dubai Court of Appeal today.
Prosecutors, who are calling for the sentence to be increased, also made their argument.
Mr Matter said a judge will make a decision on the appeal next Tuesday.
"A new hearing will take place on November 25 for a verdict," said Mr Matter.
"I made a good appeal and submitted a good defence today. Michelle and Vince are innocent.
"The prosecution appealed in the same hearing today. They say the punishment needs to be bigger. They say it was a very small sentence."
Palmer and Acors, who appeared in court for today's hearing, remain on bail in Dubai.
Mr Matter said they will return to court for next week's hearing, after which they could be taken into custody.
"If the appeal fails, they will go to jail," said Mr Matter. "It is also possible the judge will reduce the punishment."
Palmer and Acors were arrested in the early hours of 5 July after being seen having sex on Jumeirah Beach by a police officer. They had met earlier at a champagne brunch at a five-star hotel on the emirate.
At last month's hearing, they were found guilty of having unmarried sex and public indecency.
They were fined 1,000 dirhams (£155) after admitting being drunk in a public place.
Palmer was sacked from her job as a publishing executive after the allegations emerged.
Friends say the stress of the proceedings has left her "in bits".
Acors was visiting the country at the time of the offences.
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