19-year-old dies exactly three months after royal pardon freed him from notorious Al Awir prison over consensual relationship with 17-year-old British girl
Marcus Fakana, the British teenager who was jailed in Dubai over a holiday romance with a 17-year-old girl, has been killed in a car crash following a police pursuit in north London.
The 19-year-old died in hospital yesterday after the vehicle he was travelling in failed to stop for Metropolitan Police officers and crashed into another car on The Roundway in Tottenham. The tragedy occurred exactly three months after his release from Dubai’s notorious Al Awir prison on 3 July.
Radha Stirling, founder of Detained in Dubai, who supported the teen and his family throughout his ordeal, shared the devastating news on social media. “We are heartbroken to share that our client and friend, Marcus Fakana, tragically lost his life in a car accident in Tottenham after his release from Dubai jail,” she wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
Fatal Police Pursuit
The Metropolitan Police confirmed officers on patrol attempted to stop a “vehicle of interest” in Pretoria Road, Edmonton, at approximately 12:52am on Friday morning. Following a short pursuit of approximately 60 seconds, police temporarily lost sight of the vehicle before finding it had been involved in a collision with another car on The Roundway.
Fakana, who was a passenger in the vehicle, suffered significant injuries and was provided with immediate first aid at the scene. London Ambulance Service and London’s Air Ambulance attended, but despite the best efforts of emergency services and medical staff, he died shortly after being admitted to hospital.
The driver, 19-year-old Marwaan Mohamed Huseen of Argyle Road, Tottenham, was arrested on suspicion of failure to stop and dangerous driving. He remains in police custody and will appear at Highbury Corner Magistrates Court charged with causing death by dangerous driving, driving without insurance, driving without a licence and failing to stop.
Holiday Romance That Led to Prison
Marcus, who was 18 at the time, was sentenced to a year in prison for having consensual sex with a 17-year-old British girl whilst on holiday with his family in Dubai in August 2024. Both teenagers had met whilst staying at the same luxury hotel with their families.
The couple kept their relationship secret from the girl’s “strict” parents and planned to continue their romance back in London. However, after returning to the UK, the girl’s mother discovered private messages and photographs and reported the relationship to Dubai police.
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 law applies regardless of consent or the small age gap between the parties.
Months in Notorious Prison
Marcus was arrested at his hotel without explanation and held for months in the notoriously harsh Al Awir prison whilst his parents had to return to the UK for work. Speaking at the time, he said: “It was very traumatic. I was taken from the hotel without being told why. I wasn’t allowed to call anyone, including my parents.”
The teenager spent seven months imprisoned, with his case drawing international attention and sparking protests outside Downing Street. Campaigners raised concerns about Dubai’s strict laws that criminalise sexual relationships with anyone under 18, which many tourists are unaware of.
His release followed sustained pressure from Detained in Dubai’s legal and advocacy teams, public support, behind-the-scenes diplomatic discussions and ultimately a royal pardon application. Marcus was eventually granted a royal pardon by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai’s ruler, and returned home in early July.
Renewed Faith and Lost Future
Stirling revealed Marcus had found renewed purpose during his ordeal. “I came to know Marcus as he faced one of the most frightening experiences of his life, and I witnessed his strength and courage throughout,” she said. “He 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 looking forward to building a positive future.”
The tragedy has highlighted the lasting impact of his imprisonment. “Marcus spent the majority of this year in a Dubai prison which no doubt caused him long lasting mental anguish,” Stirling added. “It’s sad that of all of 2025, he was only free for the three months from July 3 until October 3.”
Family’s Relief Turned to Tragedy
When Marcus was freed, his family had expressed overwhelming relief. They wrote on Instagram: “We are grateful to share that Marcus is now home safe with us. This has been an incredibly difficult time, and we thank everyone who supported us through it.”
The family had asked for privacy as Marcus began to heal from his ordeal. His parents had previously sought assistance from Foreign Secretary David Lammy, who is also their local MP in Tottenham, though Lammy had stated that travellers must “follow the rules” of other countries.
Community Mourns Young Life Lost
Tributes poured in online following news of the teenager’s death. Friends and relatives held a vigil in Tottenham to mourn the teenager, describing him as “kind-hearted” and “full of life.”
One tribute on Facebook read: “I fought for you to be released from prison in Dubai, I did my best and this is how it ended. My condolences to papa crispin and ya marie.”
Another mourner wrote: “Too young to die. When I heard that sad news early on tonight. My heart just sung in pain, felt useless.”
Campaign Group’s Warning
The case had prompted Detained in Dubai to warn British tourists about the risks of travelling to the UAE, where laws based on both civil and Sharia law can catch out unwitting visitors. More than £36,000 was raised through a GoFundMe campaign to support Marcus’s legal fees and living costs during his ordeal.
Stirling’s final tribute emphasised the tragedy: “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.”
The Metropolitan Police confirmed Marcus’s family have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers. The Independent Office for Police Conduct will likely examine the circumstances of the police pursuit.
Marcus Fakana’s death marks a tragic end to a case that captured international attention and raised serious questions about Dubai’s legal system and its treatment of young tourists. He was just 19 years old.
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