The father of a man jailed in Abu Dhabi for sex outside marriage has spoken of his joy and heartbreak at learning he was to become a grandfather for the first time but that his son was locked up.

Karl Culverwell said it was 'the best possible news at the worst possible time'.

His son Emlyn, 29, from South Africa, has been jailed for the past six weeks along with his pregnant fiancée Iryna after they broke UAE rules of sex outside marriage.

The pair were arrested after 27-year-old Iryna went to a doctor with stomach cramps and he called police after discovering she was pregnant.

Speaking from his home in Johannesburg, 50-year-old Mr Culverwell said: 'This is going to be our first grandchild and we can't celebrate

'Rather than looking forward to seeing our first family wedding and the birth of our first grandchild, we are beyond worried and stressed. We feel sick all the time. All we can think about is how we are going to get them out of there. It should be a time for us to celebrate but we can't.'

In jail: Emlyn Culverwell, 29, and Iryna Nohai, 27, were arrested in the United Arab Emirates for unlawful sex outside of marriage on January 29, just two days after they got engaged

Pregnant: Nohai, pictured, and her South African fiance were arrested after she went to a clinic when she was suffering from stomach cramps and was told she was pregnant. The doctor alerted police and they were arrested after being unable to provide marriage certificates

Mr Culverwell, who is a call centre agent, described how he had shared in his son's joy at falling in love, then the announcement of his engagement and looked forward to the wedding and meeting his beautiful daughter-in-law to be.

'We were overjoyed because from the photos we have seen and from what Emlyn has told us. Iryna seems a lovely girl and they are obviously very happy together.

'We didn't know anything about the baby until we were told the reasons why they were locked up. They care for each other and want to spend the rest of their lives together.

'They were engaged before they found out about the baby. Once they were detained they did request to get married to show they were serious about their relationship but they were denied that.'

Having sex outside of marriage is illegal in the UAE, and those who are convicted can face long jail sentences.

South African born Culverwell and Nohai were arrested after being unable to provide marriage certificates.

They were first taken to Yas Police Station, and then later brought to Al Wathba Prison, where they are being kept on separate wings with no contact.

Men's and women's quarters are separated by large metal gates and tight security. The couple have not seen or spoken to each other since their arrest

A friend said: 'That will be the worst for Emlyn not knowing what is happening to Iryna. No one has been able to make any contact with them.'

Happy couple: The pair, who live in Abu Dhabi have been together since 2014. Nohai, from Ukraine, is an admin assistant while Culverwell is a lifeguard at a water park

Joy and pain: Culverwell's father at home in Johannesburg has spoken of his joy then heartbreak to discover he was to be a grandfather for the first time but that his son was in jail

Miscarriage fears: Culverwell's mother said that Nohai was still in the early stages of her pregnancy, and suggested that the cramps could be a sign of a miscarriage

Despite being arrested six weeks ago they have not been charged because authorities are still investigating the paternity of the child, how long the couple was sexually active and are testing Nohai's HIV status.

The couple had become engaged just two days before their arrest, on January 27.

Culverwell has been working in the UAE for the past five years as a lifeguard at Yas Waterworld.

He first started dating Nohai, who worked as an admin officer, in mid-2014.

Mr Culverwell's estranged wife Linda has spoken to Iryna's brother on the phone, but communication isn't easy as they are Ukrainian.

'They speak almost no English, but have an English dictionary, and they can understand a few words, but that's all,' he explained.

Like the Culverwells, Iryna's family do not have the money to fund a defence in the UAE where private legal fees are high.

'We aren't in a position to get legal help because we can't afford it. The other family also don't have a lawyer, we are relying on our South African government representatives and get somebody to go in and see how they aredoing.;

Mrs Culverwell, 50, was hospitalised for a couple of days after hearing the news of her son's arrest, but 'is now doing a lot better,' he said.

Behind bars: Culverwell and Nohai have not been allowed to see each other since their arrest. Nohai is allegedly guilty of 'Zina', the Islamic legal term referring to unlawful sexual intercourse, which the UAE has criminalised.

'She is very stressed, we are both are. You hear terrible stories are about punishments, jailing, lashes and so on. I hope they wont be jailed, but you can't write that off.'

Since their arrest, a Christian Church in Yas Island, UAE, offered to marry the couple for a high price, but a judge refused to allow it, according to Herald Live.

Nohai is allegedly guilty of 'Zina', the Islamic legal term referring to unlawful sexual intercourse, which the UAE has criminalised.

Women and couples found guilty of Zina in UAE, women and couples are either deported or imprisoned in the country for at least a year.

Hundreds of women are imprisoned each year for the crime, including pregnant women and rape victims.

After the pair's story was reported in Emlyn's native South Africa his mother Linda was contacted by another mother from Durban whose daughter was locked up with Iryna.

The detainee, who has not been named, was able to tell Linda that Iryna had not lost the baby.

It was feared the stomach cramps was the start of a miscarriage.

Linda from Port Alfred, on the eastern cape, said she had been overwhelmed with support.

The couple's ordeal was also raised in the South African Parliament by Democratic Alliance MP and deputy shadow environmental minister Terry Stander.

Anxiety: Culverwell's mother Linda, 50, was hospitalised for a few days after hearing the news of her son's arrest, but 'is now doing a lot better.' Pictured: The couple before their arrest

Linda said the stress of worrying about her son and future daughter-in-law has led to her being hospitalised.

She said: 'I never dreamed so many people would care. I have been on the phone non-stop. I'm tired' but it's a good tired.'

Linda was also offered a plane ticket by an employee at Yas Waterworld where her son works and is considering flying out to Abu Dhabi.

Only family members who share the same family name are allowed to visit detainees.

Linda has pleaded for the couple to be released.

'The only thing they did wrong was fall in love.' she said.