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A British teenager who was jailed in Dubai after having sex with a UK tourist has died after a car he was in failed to stop for police and crashed in north London.
Marcus Fakana, 19, died from “significant” injuries after the smash just before 1am on Friday.
Officers on patrol attempted to stop a vehicle “of interest” in Pretoria Road, Edmonton.
The Metropolitan Police said following a short pursuit of approximately 60 seconds, they temporarily lost sight of it.
Shortly after, officers drove onto The Roundway, Tottenham, to find the car had been involved in a road traffic collision with another vehicle.
The teenage passenger suffered serious wounds and was provided with immediate first aid prior to the arrival of the London Ambulance Service and an air ambulance.
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A force spokesman added: “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 male driver, also 19, survived but was arrested after the smash on suspicion of failure to stop and dangerous driving. He remains in police custody.
Mr Fakana was arrested and sentenced to one year in a maximum-security prison last year over a consensual holiday relationship in August last year with another British tourist who was just a few months younger than himself.
The girl was one month away from turning 18, but sex with anyone under the age of 18 is an offence in the Gulf state – a fact he was not aware of at the time.
They met when both their families were staying at a luxury hotel.
He was released from prison in July this year after receiving a royal pardon from Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and had returned to the UK.
Radha Stirling, founder of Detained in Dubai, who supported the teen and his family and campaigned for his release, shared the news of his death in the crash on social media.
Writing on X, formerly Twitter, she wrote: “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.”
Ms Stirling told the Daily Mail: “I came to know Marcus as he faced one of the most frightening experiences of his life, and I witnessed his strength and courage throughout.
“He was grateful for the compassion shown to him by the British public, and his experiences gave him a renewed focus on Christianity and prayer.
“Marcus was thankful to have regained his freedom and was looking forward to building a positive future. My heartfelt condolences go to his family and friends at this difficult time.”
Tributes flooded in for the teenager on social media.
One person wrote: “Ooh God! I feel for your your dad, mum, your uncles, your aunties, your cousins, your sisters n brother. May your soul rest in perfect peace Marcus.”
Another commented: “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.”
“Too young to die. When I heard that sad news early on tonight. My heart just sung in pain, felt useless.”
Mr Fakana being jailed in Dubai was a high profile case with the campaign to save him grabbing international attention.
Marcus begged for forgiveness after being sentenced. “Please give me my life back,” he told MailOnline.
He added: “Today I was sentenced to one year in Dubai prison. My family and I are devastated and in shock.
begged for forgiveness after being sentenced. “Please give me my life back,” he told MailOnline.
He added: “Today I was sentenced to one year in Dubai prison. My family and I are devastated and in shock.
“I never intended to break the law. It didn’t occur to met at the time and for that, I’m sorry.
“I am asking His Highness, Sheikh Mohammed Al Maktoum to please forgive me and pardon me. Let me go home. Please give me my life back.”
There were no other reported injuries in the crash on Friday morning.
As is standard practice, the Met’s Directorate of Professional Standards was informed about the incident, as was the Independent Office for Police Conduct.
Any witnesses in the area, or anyone with dash cam footage of the incident or leading up to it, can call police via 101, quoting CAD 214/03OCT, or independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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