Ms Stirling, the founder and chief executive of Detained in Dubai, which helps foreigners abroad and is an international authority on UAE law, said Mr Fakana and his parents were “extremely distressed” by the events.

She described the case to BBC London as “unique” because “the age difference is so small” between the two people involved in the case.

She continued: “This is clearly just a case of two older teenagers, both of them now the same age, who have been caught up because a mother reported the behaviour.”

Ms Stirling added Mr Fakana’s parents had had to return home to London.

Mr Fakana previously said: “I pray this nightmare will be over and I’ll be home for Christmas.”

A UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) spokesperson has said: “We are supporting a British man in the UAE and are in contact with his family.”