A 19-year-old man has been charged in connection with a crash which caused the death of a British teenager who was jailed in Dubai for having a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old girl.
The Metropolitan Police confirmed that 19-year-old Marcus Fakana, from Tottenham, north London, died in hospital in the early hours of Friday after police tried to stop a vehicle.
The force said its officers were attempting to stop a “vehicle of interest” in Pretoria Road, and after a short pursuit, police temporarily lost sight of the vehicle.
Officers then drove into The Roundway and found the vehicle had been involved in a crash with another vehicle.
A Met spokesperson said: “Police were on patrol at around 00:52hrs when they attempted to stop a vehicle of interest on Pretoria Road, N18.
“After pursuing the vehicle for around 60 seconds, police temporarily lost sight before locating the vehicle on The Roundway, N17, where it had been involved in a collision.
“Officers were supported by the London Ambulance Service and the London Air Ambulance, and a 19-year-old man was taken to hospital where he sadly died.
“He has since been named as Marcus Fakana from Tottenham.
“His next of kin are aware and continue to be supported by specialist officers. They wish for their privacy to be respected at this difficult.
“The driver was arrested close to the scene of the collision and has since been charged with multiple offences.”
Mr Fakana, who was 18 at the time of the relationship, received a royal pardon from Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum in July after being sentenced to one year in prison.
Radha Sterling, chief executive of campaign group Detained in Dubai, said she was “heartbroken” to share the news.
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.”
Mr 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 Mr 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 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 driver, a man also aged 19, was arrested after the collision on suspicion of failure to stop and dangerous driving. He remains in police custody.”
Ms Sterling added: “[Mr Fakana’s] 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.”
