LONDON - A BRITISH man and woman convicted of having sex on the beach in Dubai have returned home in time for the Christmas holidays, their lawyers said on Wednesday.

Mr Vince Acors, 34, landed back at London's Heathrow airport earlier on Wednesday, his lawyer said.

'He's absolutely delighted that he's home for Christmas,' Mr Andrew Crossley added. 'He's very pleased he has finally got back and is looking forward to spending time at his home.'

Mr Acors's homecoming was repeatedly delayed, apparently amid problems with his ticket.

Meanwhile, Ms Michelle Palmer, 36, returned a week ago, her Dubai-based lawyer Hassan Matar told AFP, adding that her departure was kept secret on her request.

'Michelle called me from the UK and told me everything was okay and that she was very happy to be home,' Mr Matar said.

The pair were found guilty in October of having sex on the beach in Dubai, which despite its pro-Western outlook still adheres to certain strict Islamic rules and bans sex out of wedlock.

An appeals court last month suspended a three-month jail term but the two were ordered to pay a 1,000 dirham (S$390) fine for drinking alcohol and ordered expelled from the country.