By Eniola Amadu
A British teenager who was jailed in Dubai earlier this year for having a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old girl has died in a car crash in north London, just three months after his release.
Marcus Fakana, 19, was a passenger in a car that collided with a truck in Tottenham. He was taken to hospital with serious injuries but later died.
The Metropolitan Police said officers had attempted to stop the vehicle shortly before the collision.
A brief pursuit lasting about 60 seconds was abandoned when police lost sight of the car. It was later discovered crashed into a truck.
Fakana had been sentenced to one year in prison in Dubai after authorities were alerted to his relationship with the girl, who was 17 at the time.
The case was reported to police by the girl’s mother after she found messages between the pair when she had returned to the UK.
In July, Fakana was granted a royal pardon by Dubai’s ruler, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, after serving part of his sentence.
His release followed a campaign supported by Detained in Dubai, a legal advocacy group founded by Radha Stirling.
Following news of his death, Ms Stirling paid tribute to Fakana, saying: “Marcus was grateful for the compassion shown to him by the British public, and his experiences gave him a renewed focus on Christianity and prayer.
He was thankful to have regained his freedom and was looking forward to building a positive future.”
She added: “Marcus spent the majority of this year in a Dubai prison, which no doubt caused him long-lasting mental anguish.
“It is sad that of all of 2025, he was only free for the three months from the 3rd of July until the 3rd of October.”
The driver of the car involved in the Tottenham crash has been charged.
Marwaan Mohamed Huseen, 19, of Argyle Road, Tottenham, faces counts of causing death by dangerous driving, driving without insurance, driving without a licence and failing to stop.
He is due to appear at Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court.
The Metropolitan Police said the force’s Directorate of Professional Standards has been informed of the incident, and the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has also been notified.
