British teenager Marcus Fakana who was jailed in Dubai Has Passed Away from a Car Accident

The 19 year old who was jailed for having sex with a 17-year-old girl has been killed in a car crash just three months after regaining his freedom.

Marcus Fakana, died yesterday in a collision in Tottenham, north London, where he had been living since his release.

Fakana was arrested in December 2023 while on holiday in the United Arab Emirates after police discovered he had consensual sex with a 17-year-old girl, an act deemed illegal under Dubai’s strict morality laws. He was sentenced to a year in prison, sparking outrage among campaigners who argued he was being punished for behaviour that would not be considered a crime in the UK.

Following pressure from rights group Detained in Dubai, which petitioned the government and launched a public campaign, Fakana was granted a royal pardon on July 3. His case drew widespread attention to the risks faced by foreign nationals who fall foul of the UAE’s legal system.

Radha Stirling, CEO of Detained in Dubai, confirmed his death, saying:

> “Marcus had shown strength and courage throughout his ordeal. He was excited and optimistic about his future, and it is heartbreaking that his life has ended so tragically and so soon after his release.”

Friends described the teenager as “bubbly” and “full of energy,” while neighbours in Tottenham said they were shocked to learn of his passing.

Police confirmed that an investigation is under way into the crash, though no further details have yet been released.