A British teenager who was jailed in Dubai for having a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old girl has died in a car crash just three months after he was released.
Marcus Fakana, 19, died in hospital in the early hours of Friday after police tried to stop a vehicle in Tottenham, north London.
The Metropolitan Police said its officers were attempting to stop a “vehicle of interest” after a short pursuit.
They temporarily lost sight of the vehicle but then found it had been involved a crash with another vehicle.
Fakana, who was 18 at the time of the relationship in Dubai, received a royal pardon from ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum in July after being sentenced to one year in prison.
Radha Stirling, chief executive of campaign group Detained in Dubai, said she was “heartbroken” to share the news of his death.
She told the PA news agency: “Marcus spent the majority of this year in a Dubai prison, which no doubt caused him long-lasting mental anguish.
“It’s sad that of all of 2025, he was only free for the three months from the 3rd of July until the 3rd of October.”
Fakana had been with his parents in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from the end of August 2024, when a “holiday romance blossomed” with another Londoner, who has since turned 18, Detained in Dubai previously said.
After returning to the UK and seeing pictures and messages, the girl’s mother reported the relationship to Dubai police, who then arrested Fakana at his hotel, it is alleged.
In Dubai, if an adult has a sexual relationship with a person under 18, they can be prosecuted for having a sexual relationship with a minor.
The Metropolitan Police said its officers provided “immediate first aid” at the scene of Friday’s crash before paramedics arrived.
“The passenger, a man aged 19, had significant injuries,” the force said.
“He was taken to hospital where, despite the best efforts of emergency services and medical staff, he died a short time later. His next of kin have been informed.”
The male driver, also aged 19, was arrested at the scene on suspicion of failure to stop and dangerous driving. He remains in police custody.
In a tribute to Farkana, Rahda Stirling added: “His loss is a painful reminder of how precious life is and how unnecessary imprisonment robs people of time they can never regain.
“Every day of freedom matters.”
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