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The comments from some people make me laugh, it sounds to me like some people are getting off hoping that the pair of them get lynched. They got drunk and had sex on the beach! That's it, they didn't kill someone, or hurt anyone, they should get a slap on the wrist and that's it, and regarding following their laws and culture, rubbish themselves, I feel sorry for the pair of them and I hope they get away with it.

- Lawrence, Manchester, England

Because they got caught, they are disgusting. But if they got away with it... they were just young people having a good time... So make sure you don't get caught!

- Michelle Addicts, Dubai

My comment is definitely not against the couple. I think the punishment is by far to cruel and unusual. It was late nite and they are two totally consenting adults. Yes the Dubai country has it own way of teaching and raising there people. I personally would not have a clue of what was wrong or right if I visited there. I think they should pay a fine. The embarrassment of this alone is enough. I have so much more to say, so I will leave it at that. They are not a disgrace to the person who left the prior comments. Sorry your adult life is so lacking. Really.

- Anthony Lebron, Brooklyn,NY

Well ,She was warned!? Then I have to agree with the authorities on this one. They gave them a chance to "get a room" and they said "some words to the police officer, in the end she got what she deserve it ".... literally.
every country have different rules and we should have to respect that.

- Mohamed, dubai UAE

So many Brits with drink problems end up in Dubai, and the ex-pat lifestyle fuels the drink problem. There are many British companies operating in Dubai who need urgently to look at how they protect their reputations from the kind of embarrassment and damage that ITP have experienced.

- Ken, London

These two are typical of the disgusting louts UK society has produced. Two low-life immoral ravers. Do I have pity for them? NO. Perhaps a few years in an overseas jail will sober them up in more ways than one.

- Philly Prout, Derby

This is really shameful and disgusting from Michelle and her boyfriend to have a sex in public.

- Jane, UK

If you had come to Israel instead, you would have been applauded.

- Lsg, Tel Aviv Israel

It's against the law here. It's against the law there. People must be able to accept the consequences of their actions. Of course the penalties may be different but who's to say what the yardstick should be?

- Peter Haldane, London

Somewhat typical arrogant attitude shown by brits abroad, that all other countries/cultures are inferior, and their rules don't need to be respected.

Absolutely no sympathy for these losers. I hope they do get banged up for 6 years, especially as they were given a chance and became abusive. Getting drunk to the point of incoherence is absolutely no excuse, and being a "mature" adult in part means having sense and responsibility. They could have done whatever if they went back to one of their rooms.

- Zaphod, London

Ummm.... they were caught by the police and told to stop at which point the policemen left. upon his return he found them at it again, this time attacked and verbally abused by the woman. Can't see what she has to complain about.

Also, sex on a public beach... don't see that kind of show in Brighton, but as its in a foreign land and done by drunk Brits the Arabs should be more understanding shouldn't they... we shouldn't have to respect their customs and norms should we!

- J Rahman, London

No sympathy. They knew the rules of the country they chose to live in; they broke them, they have to accept the punishment.
By the same token, those who chose to live in this country should live by the Law of this country.

- Beatriz, London

I really want to know why we haven't heard what happened to the bloke in this incident. Is it because he isn't British that it isn't being reported here.
Otherwise, I am happy for her to be imprisoned, but NOT if the man is let off completely. As it is said "it takes two..."

- The Other Jk, SE Lunnon

"Do Muslim women wearing head scarves in our secular countries abide by our laws? I don't think so. We have to stop being lenient with those people."

Xenophobic nonsense. Do you really think that every single Muslim woman living in Europe is breaking the law? How? On what do you base such an extraordinary assertion? Is falafel a class a drug? Are kebabs dangerous weapons of mass destruction? What an ignorant and very stupid comment.

- Bandora, London

That's the problem with British society, somehow being drunk excuses any behaviour.

- Nick, London

To Ron and Ben, congrats on showing us why bigotry and ignorance go hand in hand with some people.

Ron, what Middle-Ages are you talking about? The UAE is an evolving country and we are changing our laws to cater to everyone, yet it is still not enough. What Women's Rights issues? Women own almost 20% of businesses there and are securing positions in the highest places in government. Check your facts before blurting out non-sense.

Ben, what does potential mean to you? Nudity on the beaches? drugs everywhere? alcohol flowing everywhere? I am not sure what you mean by potential, but it sounds to me like you think we should just allow anything and everything. last time I checked, that's why the UK has such bad crime, alcohol issues are going through the roof, pregnant teenagers everywhere, and the list goes on and on. Next time you stop somewhere, make sure you take the time to realize it is OUR country, not YOUR playground. Therefore, follow our rules. I know tons of Brits that love it there and have been there for decades and love it more and more every day. Maybe they are just the old-school folks, unlike yourself. But thanks anyways for both of your comments.

- Tariq, Dubai, UAE

A certain section of the British public when they travel / live abroad seem to think that they can behave in exactly the same way as they do back home... and then, if they are arrested, wonder why! This young woman was stupid enough to know the rules in Dubai but not adhere to them, so she has no-one to blame but herself.

- Judith, London, England

She's lived in Dubai for three years, you'd think she would have grasped some sense of the culture of the place and how behaving like this in public would be viewed by the locals...but apparently not.

- Mooncake, New Zealand

Sorry no sympathy for the female. Believe me I am no prude but how can she think that that is acceptable behaviour - Brits abroad again!

- Louie, London

Never mind the respect of the cultures and laws of other countries, you should also respect yourself!

Hope it was worth it!

- Anon, London

It's ashame the Greek Islands don't have such laws for people like Ms Palmer. And if people think that such laws are barbaric and deter countries from gaining any potential in becoming a tourist destination, that's fine, because places like Dubai and the Greek islands don't want people/tourists that can't have fun without getting drunk and behaving in a uncivilised manner in public places... Besides, how about some self respect?

- Armani Alegria, London

It's a shame the Greek Islands don't have such laws for people like Ms Palmer. And if people think that such laws are barbaric and deter countries from gaining any potential in becoming a tourist destination, that's fine, because places like Dubai and the Greek islands don't want people/tourists that can't have fun without getting drunk and behaving in a uncivilised manner in public places... Besides, how about some self respect?

- Armani Alegria, London

She deserves it, having no shame or respect!

- Elly, London

So if me and my girlfriend go to Dubai and have sex in the hotel room we are breaking the law! Sorry but I have no interest of ever visiting this county; after this story not may other will either! It was wrong to have sex on the beach however...

- Paul, London

I think a lot of holiday-makers have gotten the impression, given all the advertising, that Dubai is some sort of Corfu or Tenerife. It is not. It is very much an clerical dictatorship which happens to have some great beaches and tolerates foreign nationals as workers on 3 year Visas. It is pretty obvious when you arrive, you'd have to blind not to see it.

- Dave, N10

And?

Where is the story here?

We (myself more than most) moan when foreigners and immigrants refuse to adapt to our cultures, laws and way of life so I say tough luck to the girl.

Like it or not, it's their country and what they say goes.

- Lb, London

If she lived there then she should know the laws. You cant expect to go there and act as if you're in the UK. Stupid girl.

- Iain, London

I have been there on holiday. They are lovely friendly and helpful. You should respect and obey their laws. There is no excuse, especially as they had been warned. I hope she gets what she deserves.

- Paul H, London

Sex outside marriage illegal. I assume anywhere in Dubai & not just on the beach. Six years in prison! I bet that enhances their tourist trade. Homesexuals, women's rights, freedom of religion etc etc. It's one thing obeying the laws of the country but when that country is still in the Middle Ages perhaps one can be forgiven for not quite getting it. Still she should count herself lucky she wasn't in Saudi Arabia, there she would have been stoned to death.

- Ron, London

There is no explanation given for withholding the name of the other person involved, or whether they were male or female. There is no indication of whether Ms Palmer is married or not. There is no indication of how much she had to drink nor any clue as to the seriousness of the assault.
There is therefore no way of discovering or speculating on how long the sentence is likely to be, so your claim that Ms Palmer 'faces six years in jail' is based on what? Does it have any basis? We do not know. Is this your error or is it a news agency balls up, if you would pardon the pun.

- Ian Macdonald, east kilbride

Bring back the birch! Although, saying that it sounds like she'd probably enjoy it.

- Threaded, Roskilde, Denmark

So why does this not happen in reverse when people come here Huw? Anything anyone is ever accused of in this country is always dropped due to cultural or religious reasons!

- Jc, London

Right. If only people could abide by our laws when in this country. It seems like when in Rome do as the Romans do, but when in England, do what the hell you want

- Mike C, London

Its a pity Muslims in this country don't abide by our laws.

- Mick Jack, wellingborough uk

I do believe that sex on the beach in the UK is also an offence!

- Bj, London

Never mind in Dubai, since when has it be acceptable to have sex in public in this country? It's just wrong.

- Nu, london

Putting aside the moral issues, it would appear that alcohol is once again the catalyst!

Michelle Palmer's family must be extremely proud of her . . . NOT!

By the age of 30 you'd have thought that this woman would have had more sense. But apparently not!

- Fraser, Telford Park

It's a shame we don't have the same strict rules here in the UK. Do they have stabbings, drug dealers, muggings and murders every day on the street in Dubai? No, because the authorities will not tolerate it.

- Tina, London, UK

Do Muslim women wearing head scarves in our secular countries abide by our laws? I don't think so. We have to stop being lenient with those people.

- Jacques, Cannes - France

No sympathy whatsoever, people should have more control of themselves. Secondly, when you visit a foreign country you should abide by the laws or face the consequences.

- Huw Morgan, London

I have worked there, she must be stupid. She deserves the sentence. Just like we rightly expect people to follow our laws and customs when coming to the UK, she should have done the same in the UAE.

- Alienz, UK

Why do people think they should not abide by the rules of the country they are living in?

- Miss P, Middlesex

Good throw away the key, it is time people started behaving with a bit of self respect and got some morals.
The man was a British holidaymaker, yet another fine example of British behaviour and lack of moral.

- Dr Finlay'S Casebook, London, UK

If you travel to the UAE you should be fully aware of the laws of the land. It's just a same that our government doesn't take the same view when it bends over backwards to accommodate antics of visitors to the UK.

- Paul, London

It is simple. If you live in an Islamic country you live by the laws of that country. If you get caught breaking those rules you will be punished in there courts.

If this lady wants to be judged by non Islamic laws don't work/live in an Islamic country.

This is the sort of western arrogance that is part of the conflict between the west and Islam.

Silly, silly girl.

- Stuart, UK Luton

When in a foreign country (and this wasn't just a holiday, she lives there), you adhere to rules and regulations of that country no matter how it fits into your personal perception of the world. It's plain arrogance to believe that you can simply flaunt the law, they both deserve everything they get.

- Hugh Ayee, London

This is a god example of why Dubai will never reach it's potential as a destination for western tourists.

I have briefly passed through Dubai and from my short experience have no intention of returning.

- Ben, London

More than 80% of the expat don't know the rules in the UAE, because drinking alcohol is legal for non-Muslims, they think at is free like the west!

- Salem Al Baloushi, Abu Dhabi

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