Dubai sex woman back in Britain

Michelle Palmer and Vince Acors montage picture

Michelle Palmer and Vince Acors met while in Dubai

A British woman who was convicted of having sex on a beach in Dubai has flown home, her lawyer says.

Michelle Palmer, of Oakham, Rutland, and Vince Acors, 34, of Bromley, London, were both given jail sentences that were suspended on appeal.

Palmer, 36, was working in Dubai as a publishing executive, but was sacked after her arrest.

Acors was re-arrested on Monday because of a paperwork problem as he prepared to board a flight back to the UK.

Hassan Matter, who represented Palmer and Acors during their Dubai trial, said: "Michelle returned home a few days ago.

"I worked on her deportation. She didn't have any problems because she had been in Dubai to work.

"Vince has some procedures to go through because his visa has expired. He went to the airport but did not have the paperwork. He had to go back to prison to sort it out.

"We don't have any problem with the Dubai Public Prosecution. Everyone is doing their job."

'Severely disappointed'

Acors had initially been due to return on Friday, but a delay in the deportation process meant he was unable to board a Heathrow-bound plane and spent the weekend in jail.

Acors's lawyer Andrew Crossley said his situation was now "close to becoming farcical and Vince is severely disappointed".

Palmer and Acors were arrested on the Jumeirah Beach on 5 July, hours after meeting at a champagne brunch.

In October, they were found guilty by Dubai's Court of First Instance of unmarried sex and public indecency. Both were fined �170 and sentenced to three months in prison.

They admitted a charge of being drunk in a public place.