The iconic skyline of Dubai - a popular holiday destination for many.

But a holiday for three Britons in the Emirate last July has turned into a nightmare.

On Monday, a Dubai court sentenced Grant Cameron, Karl Williams and Suneet Jeerh to four years in jail on drugs charges.

The three were arrested during their holiday after police said they'd found a form of synthetic cannabis in their hire car.

All three pleaded not guilty and said police had beaten and threatened them with guns - claims the police deny.

One of their defence lawyers said he would appeal the sentence.

(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) DEFENCE LAWYER, ABDEL-HAMID MAHDI, SAYING:

"The court has sentenced the suspects to four years. We have not explored the reasons yet, but they were sentenced for drug use and not for dealing drugs."

There is zero-tolerance for drug-related offences in the UAE, with severe penalties for drug trafficking and possession.