A British teenager who was imprisoned in Dubai over a relationship with a 17-year-old girl has died in a car crash in north London, just three months after being freed. Marcus Fakana, 19, passed away in hospital early Friday after a vehicle he was in collided with another car during a police pursuit in Tottenham.
The Metropolitan Police confirmed that officers were attempting to stop a “vehicle of interest” on Pretoria Road shortly after midnight. Following a brief chase, police temporarily lost sight of the car, but moments later discovered it had crashed on the Roundway.
Fakana, who was a passenger, suffered critical injuries and was rushed to hospital. Despite medical efforts, he died shortly after arrival. A 19-year-old driver was arrested at the scene on suspicion of failing to stop and dangerous driving and remains in custody.
Past imprisonment in Dubai
Earlier this year, Fakana was jailed in Dubai after authorities charged him with having a sexual relationship with a minor. He was 18 at the time, while the girl was weeks away from turning 18. In the UK, the age of consent is 16, but under UAE law, the age is 18.
Fakana was sentenced to a year in prison but received a royal pardon in July from Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Ruler of Dubai. He returned to the UK in the summer and was free for just three months before his death.
Campaign group pays tribute
Radha Sterling, founder of the campaign group Detained in Dubai, said she was “heartbroken” at the news. She explained that Fakana’s ordeal in prison had left lasting psychological scars.
“Marcus was only free from the 3rd of July until the 3rd of October. His unnecessary imprisonment robbed him of valuable time he could never regain,” she said.
Her colleague Raphaella Stirling added on social media: “Despite everything he endured, Marcus embraced freedom with joy and hope for the future. His loss is a painful reminder of how precious life is.”
Tributes pour in
Friends and supporters also expressed their grief online. One supporter wrote: “I fought for you to be released from prison in Dubai. I did my best and this is how it ended.”
