'Sex-on-the-beach' Briton 'home for Christmas'

A British man convicted of having sex on a Dubai beach should be home for Christmas, his lawyer said today.

Vince Acors, 34, faces a delay in returning to the UK because of a public holiday in the United Arab Emirates which runs until 14 December.

He and Michelle Palmer, 36, who were found guilty of having sex on Jumeirah Beach, will then present themselves to the prison authorities to be deported, Mr Acors' solicitor, Andrew Crossley of London-based ACS Law, said.

That process should take one or two days.

Mr Crossley added: "We're hoping it will not be any longer than that. We are confident that Vince will be home before Christmas.

"He is frustrated about the delay but he understands and respects that proper processes have to be adhered to."

Palmer, of Oakham, Rutland, and Acors, of Bromley, south east London, were caught cavorting hours after meeting at a champagne brunch at a five-star hotel.

They were arrested in the early hours of 5 July and convicted of public indecency and having unmarried sex last month.

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

The pair were initially jailed for three months, but last Tuesday had their sentences suspended.

The pair were told they would be deported and ordered to pay a fine of about £170.

They had hoped to return to the UK today, but remain in Dubai without their passports.

Palmer had been working in Dubai as a publishing executive but was sacked after the allegations emerged.

Acors was visiting the country at the time of their arrest.