Michelle Palmer, the British woman accused of having sex on a Dubai beach, was declared too stressed by doctors to attend court this morning, delaying a verdict in her case.

The 36-year-old has been free on bail, but living in hiding since her arrest two months ago. She is on anti-depressants and says she suffers from anxiety and paranoia.

"Michelle's lawyer submitted a doctor's note to the judge formally excusing her from court due to her current treatment for stress and anxiety," a close friend of Ms Palmer's told The Times via text message.

Ms Palmer and Vince Acors, her co-accused, had previously asked that their trial be moved up so they could have closure and return to Britain. Their case has now been adjourned until October 7. If the pair are found guilty, they could face up to six years in jail.

A court official this morning confirmed the prosecution is poised to call its key witness – Ali Mohammed Yacoub, the police officer that arrested the couple.

Local press reports have partially quoted his written statement, already submitted to the court: "I was passing near Jumeirah Beach by the [hotel] Burj al Arab when a couple of guys stopped the patrol car and said, 'There is a guy having sex with a girl on the beach'. I took a torch and went down to the beach and saw them," the statement reportedly reads.

The couple have previously denied having intercourse. Ms Palmer said that they were only "hugging and kissing". Her defence team also claims that DNA evidence taken after her arrest proves her innocence.

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