FULL STORY: Brit teen, Marcus Fakana jailed in Dubai after having sex with girl, dies in the UK

A British teenager who was imprisoned in Dubai after being found guilty of having physical relations with an underage British girl has been released.

In a statement sent to Khaleej Times on Monday, the Government of Dubai Media Office said UK national Marcus Fakana was released on June 3 this year. "(He) was released as part of a pardon issued by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum — in his capacity as Ruler of Dubai — to 985 inmates of various nationalities from Dubai's punitive and correctional establishments, on  June 3, 2025, ahead of Eid Al Adha,” DMO noted. 

According to a BBC report, Fakana, 19, from Tottenham, north London, was sentenced in December to a year's imprisonment after a consensual relationship with the girl, who is also British, while on holiday in the UAE.” The girl was reported to be only 17. 

The age of consent in the UAE is 18. BBC also quoted a spokesperson for UK’s Foreign and Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) saying: "(Fakana) was released on an Eid pardon. "We understand he wanted to get back to the UK without media attention and to see his family. We supported him and were in contact with them,” FCDO added. 

Rulers pardon UAE Rulers pardoned hundreds of prisoners last month. President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan ordered the release of 963 inmates from penal and correctional facilities who had been sentenced in various cases. 

Sheikh Mohammed also ordered the release of 985 prisoners of different nationalities from Dubai's correctional and punitive establishments. 

The prisoners were found eligible for the royal pardon after displaying good conduct and behaviour while serving their sentence. 

The country’s Rulers often issue pardons to prisoners ahead of key religious and national occasions, such as Eid Al Fitr, Eid Al Adha, and National Day. These gestures are seen as acts of compassion and an opportunity for rehabilitation and reintegration into society. 

Fakana was eventually released from prison earlier this year and returned home to the UK on 3 July, but an organisation which helped get him out of incarceration in Dubai says he has sadly died just three months later. 

According to The Standard, a 19-year-old lost their life in a Tottenham car crash yesterday (3 October) when they were a passenger in a vehicle which collided with another car. It reports that the car failed to stop for police and officers lost sight of it, when they pursued it they found it had collided with another vehicle and the passenger was taken to hospital, where he later died with his next of kin being informed. The car's driver, also 19, was arrested and taken into police custody. 

Detained in Dubai CEO Radha Stirling said that 19-year-old Fakana had been the teenager who lost his life in the collision, sharing a statement online. She said: "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. "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. "Rest in Peace, Marcus." There have been no other injuries reported from the collision. 

When Fakana had returned to the UK from his prison earlier this year, campaigners said he had been 'recovering' from the ordeal, with Stirling calling him 'an extraordinary young man caught in a deeply unjust system'. She had said that 'no one should have to endure this' and the impact being imprisoned in Dubai had on the Brit teen was 'severe'. 

The Metropolitan Police said in a statement: "Officers investigating a fatal collision in Tottenham on Friday, 3 October are in the position to name the victim as 19-year-old Marcus Fakana. "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 [time]. "The driver was arrested close to the scene of the collision has since been charged with multiple offences. "Marwaan Mohamed Huseen, 19, of Argyle Road, 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)."