Marcus Fakana's family's heartbreak as teen dies after year-long fight for freedom

The family of a British teen who was jailed in Dubai have spoken of their heartbreak after he tragically died in a car crash just months after his release from prison.

Marcus Fakana, 19,died in the early hours of Friday morning following a collision in Tottenham, North London. It was exactly three months to the day that he had been released from prison in Dubaiafter being sentenced for having sex with another teenager - falling foul of the UAE's strict laws on sexual activity outside of marriage.

His royal pardon followed months of fierce campaigning by his family. Writing on social media in the hours after he died, his aunt said: "I fought for you to be released from prison in Dubai, I did my best and this is how it ended?"

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"My condolences to papa crispin and ya marie." A different family member commented: "God give Crispin and Marie strength, the pain is too much. Rip Marcus you left your mummy in pain baby."

And another said: "I know some people might say it doesn't matter how he passed away, but all I know is that we all hoped and prayed for him to pull through, and then suddenly he was gone. Please, make it make sense. I'm confused." Someone else penned: "Too young to die. When I heard that sad news early on tonight. My heart just sung in pain, felt useless."

Tributes have also been paid by Radha Stirling, whose legal firm Detained in Dubai represented him while he was imprisoned in the UAE.

Radha Stirling, Founder and CEO of Detained in Dubai, said: "Prison can be deeply damaging to people, and many face post-traumatic stress after their release.

"Marcus lost precious months of his young life to imprisonment, and it is natural to wonder what might have been different had he been free. Yet what defined him was not what he lost, but the courage with which he faced adversity and the gratitude he carried into his freedom.”

"I remember speaking with Marcus as he bravely turned himself in to face an unfair prison sentence. He was surprisingly calm, trusting that we would continue to fight for him.

"Thankfully, we were able to keep that promise and see him walk free. Regaining his freedom brought Marcus joy, peace, and a renewed sense of purpose. He embraced life again with optimism, a deepened commitment to his Christian faith, and excitement for the future."

Marcus was arrested by Dubai authorities last over his sexual relationship with another teenager after the girl's mother reported him. He told the Mirror that the pair had kept the "holiday romance" secret from the girl’s family "because they were strict", and that the pair had wished to continue seeing each other back when they returned home.

Intense campaigning by family, friends and legal advocates followed after he was handed a one-year prison sentence in December, before he was granted a royal pardon by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum in July.

In a statement confirming Marcus Fakana's death on Saturday afternoon, a spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police 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 has since been charged with multiple offences.

"Marwaan Mohamed Huseen, 18 (20.10.2005) of Tottenham has been charged with causing death by dangerous driving, driving without insurance, driving without a license and failing to stop. He will appear at Highbury Corner Magistrates Court on Saturday, 4 October.

"Met's Directorate of Professional Standards was informed about the incident along with the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC)."