Dubai 'Sex on Beach' Woman Michelle Palmer: Statement Was in Arabic
TIMESONLINE: Michelle Palmer, the British woman accused of having sex on a Dubai beach, has spoken out for the first time, pleading for help to prove her innocence so that she can return home.

Trembling and fighting back tears during a brief appearance at a Dubai court yesterday morning, Ms Palmer spoke to The Times through a friend, in an effort to counter “the lies” she says have been spread about her case.

Ms Palmer, 36, is forbidden to speak directly to the press before her verdict is handed down next Monday. However, she outlined her defence through a close friend, who held her hand throughout yesterday’s hearing and passed a two-page note to The Times.

Ms Palmer has previously denied prosecution claims that the couple were having sex on the beach, saying in an earlier court appearance that they were only “hugging and kissing”. Dubai 'Sex on Beach' Woman Michelle Palmer: Statement Was in Arabic >>> Exclusive: Sonia Verma in Dubai | September 3, 2008

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Briton 'Admitted Sex on Dubai Beach - Then Denied It'
THE INDEPENDENT: A British man facing jail for having sex on a Dubai beach admitted the offence before later changing his account, prosecutors said today.

Tourist Vince Acors, 34, from Bromley, south east London, initially told police he had full intercourse with fellow Briton Michelle Palmer, 36.

But he later deviated from his first statement and denied the crime, senior prosecutor Faisal Abdelmalek Ahli said.

Publishing executive Miss Palmer, from Oakham, Leicestershire, and Mr Acors were seen on a beach near the luxury Burj Al Arab hotel in the early hours of 5 July.

Mr Ahli, of the Dubai Public Prosecution, said he was confident of proving the pair had sex.

"We have a very strong case," he said today.

"We have DNA, medical reports and eyewitnesses. We also have his (Mr Acors) first statement, in which he admitted having sex with Michelle Palmer. He later denied this."

Miss Palmer and Mr Acors, who are both on bail in Dubai, deny charges of public indecency and having unmarried sex but admit consuming alcohol.

They are due to appear before Dubai's Court of First Instance tomorrow. Briton 'Admitted Sex on Dubai Beach - Then Denied It' >>> PA | September 1, 2008

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Michelle Palmer, Arrested for Having Illicit Sex on Dubai Beach, Says She and Vince Acors Were Simply “Kissing and Hugging”
The British woman facing jail in Dubai for having sex on a beach has told a court she and her friend were simply "kissing and hugging".

Michelle Palmer, 36, a publishing executive who had lived in Dubai for over two years, and Vince Acors, 34, a tourist, were allegedly caught by a police officer having sex in public on July 5 after meeting at a brunch.

The pair face up to six years in prison if they are convicted of indecent behaviour, having unmarried sex and having consumed alcohol.

The couple were summoned to appear before Dubai's Court of First Instance yesterday in a hurried hearing organised in a bid to ward off the intense media interest the case has generated both in the Muslim country and abroad.

They admitted consuming alcohol but denied the other offences. Legal sources said that unusually, they have opted to represent themselves in the case.

Miss Palmer, from Oakham, Rutland, arrived dressed in a black trouser suit with an Arab-style scarf around her neck.

In a statement, she told Judge Hamad Abdul Latif: "We were just kissing and hugging. We didn't have sex together. I was lying on top of him. I have been in Dubai for two-and-a-half years without committing any kind of offence. I'm sorry." Couple Accused of Having Sex on Dubai Beach ‘Were Just Kissing’ >>> By Aislinn Simpson | August 13, 2008

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British Woman Faces Jail for Sex on Dubai Beach
THE TELEGRAPH: A British businesswoman is facing six years in a foreign jail after she was allegedly caught having drunken sex on a beach in Dubai.

Michelle Palmer, manager of a publishing firm, was arrested after a police officer reportedly found her and a British holidaymaker in a compromising position on Jumeirah Beach in the Arab state.

The 30-year-old is thought to have been charged with having sex outside marriage - considered an offence in Dubai - as well as indecent behaviour in public, being drunk in public, and assaulting a police officer.

Miss Palmer told the Sun that she fears she will be 'made an example of' under the strict laws of a country where even mild public displays of affection are frowned upon. British Woman Faces Jail for Sex on Dubai Beach >>> By Laura Clout | July 9, 2008

MAILONLINE:
A Fine Pickle! >>> | July 10, 2008

TIMESONLINE:
British Woman Faces Six Years for Sex on Dubai Beach >>> By Nico Hines | July 10, 2008

GULF NEWS:
Expat Woman Caught on Beach Fired from Work >>> By Alice Johnson, Staff Reporter | July 10, 2008

GULF NEWS:
UAE Law against Indecency in Public >>>

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