A British teenager who was jailed in Dubai over a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old girl has died in a car crash just three months after being granted a royal pardon.
Marcus Fakana, 19, died in a collision in Tottenham, north London, where he had been rebuilding his life after returning home in July.
He had been released on 3 July following a royal pardon issued by Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
Police Investigate Fatal Collision
The Metropolitan Police said officers tried to stop a “vehicle of interest” at around 12.52 am in Tottenham but temporarily lost sight of it.
A short time later, officers found the vehicle had crashed with another car on The Roundway.
Emergency services rushed to the scene and provided immediate first aid to the victims.
Marcus, who was a passenger, sustained significant injuries and was taken to the hospital, where he died shortly after.
Arrest Made at the Scene
Police confirmed the driver, also aged 19, was arrested on suspicion of failure to stop and dangerous driving.
He remains in custody as officers continue their investigation into the crash.
Marcus’s next of kin have been informed, and the Met’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit is leading the inquiry.
Freed After Dubai Ordeal
The teenager’s death comes just three months after his release from a Dubai jail, where he had been held over a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old British girl.
Marcus had travelled to the United Arab Emirates with his parents in late August when a “holiday romance blossomed” with another Londoner who has since turned 18.
The girl’s mother reported the relationship to Dubai police after discovering messages and photos, leading to Marcus’s arrest at his hotel.
Under UAE law, adults who engage in sexual relations with someone under 18 can be charged with having sex with a minor, regardless of consent.
Campaign for His Release
Human rights campaign group Detained in Dubai helped secure his freedom earlier this year.
Its CEO, Radha Stirling, said Marcus had shown “strength and courage” throughout his ordeal and was “excited and optimistic about his future”.
“It is devastating that Marcus’s journey has been cut short so soon after he began to rebuild his life,” she said.
Family Expressed Relief
When Marcus returned home, his family shared their joy on Instagram, writing: “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. We kindly ask for privacy as Marcus rests and begins to heal.”
‘A Reminder of How Precious Life Is’
Ms Stirling described Marcus as calm and faithful during his imprisonment, saying he had “embraced life again with optimism” after regaining his freedom.
“Marcus’s passing is a reminder of how precious and irreplaceable life is,” she added.
Editing by M10News UK Desk | Contact: ukdesk@m10news.com
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