DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, Dec. 4 (UPI) -- Two Britons who had sex on a United Arab Emirates beach are appealing their deportation and suing newspapers for defamation, their lawyer said Thursday.

Michelle Palmer, 36, of Oakham, England, and Vince Acors, 34, of London were ordered deported after being convicted of committing a scandalous public act and consuming alcohol in public.

The unmarried couple were arrested July 5 at a beach near the Burj al-Arab hotel in Dubai's coastal Jumeirah area.

Their lawyer, Hassan Matter, said he would petition to have the deportation order overturned, Dubai's English-language National newspaper reported.

If deported, the two would be unable to return for up to three years, the newspaper said.

Acts such as an amorous public kiss between a man and a woman or a rude gesture from an irate driver are also considered scandalous public acts and would warrant a mandatory deportation, the newspaper said.

The couple also plan to file lawsuits against several unspecified newspapers for defamation, Matter said.

He said the newspapers tarnished his clients' image and must financially compensate the couple for malice, the Arab-language al-Arabiya TV station reported.

Matter did not specify the damages the lawsuit would claim, but said that because the coverage of the couple's arrest had been widely circulated, the compensation would be significant, the TV station said.