A driver has confessed to causing the death of Marcus Fakana, just three months after Fakana was released from a Dubai prison, following a police pursuit that ended in a fatal crash.

In the early hours of 3 October, 20-year-old Marwaan Mohamed Huseen was attempting to evade Metropolitan Police officers when the BMW he was driving slammed into a lorry, killing his passenger, 19-year-old Fakana, and causing serious injuries to another passenger. There is no suggestion that anyone was travelling in the lorry or that anyone else was injured.

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The crash occurred last year in Fakana’s hometown of Tottenham, north London, but it was not the first time the 19-year-old had made national headlines. Just three months earlier, Fakana had been released from Al Awir Central Prison in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Fakana began a one-year sentence there in December 2024 following a “holiday romance” with a 17-year-old girl while he was 18 years old himself. The relationship was reported to authorities by the girl’s mother, who had seen pictures and messages on her daughter’s phone after the family returned to the UK.

In Dubai, if an 18-year-old adult has a sexual relationship with a person under 18, they can be prosecuted for having a sexual relationship with a minor. However, after serving several months of his one-year sentence, Fakana was granted a royal pardon by Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum. Fakana’s release in July 2025 came after multiple campaign groups, including Detained in Dubai, argued that his case raised concerns about the “criminalisation” of tourists and “disproportionate sentencing” in the Arab nation.

‍Detained in Dubai’s chief executive, Radha Stirling, said: “We believe this case highlights the urgent need for expedited legal processes for foreign nationals and safeguards against unnecessary custodial sentences.”

Following news of Fakana’s death, so soon after he had been able to reclaim his future, Stirling said she was “heartbroken”, a sentiment echoed by many who had followed his story. Stirling added: “Marcus spent the majority of this year in a Dubai prison which no doubt caused him long-lasting mental anguish”.

Appearing via video link from HMP Pentonville at Wood Green Crown Court on Friday, Huseen admitted causing Fakana’s death through dangerous driving and acknowledged that he was driving without a licence or insurance. He also pleaded guilty to a further charge of causing grievous injury by dangerous driving to the other passenger.

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Following the fatal collision, the Metropolitan Police said officers had been attempting to stop a “vehicle of interest” on Pretoria Road in Tottenham. After a brief pursuit, police lost sight of Huseen’s car.

A short time later, officers entered The Roundway, where they discovered the vehicle had crashed. Fakana was rushed to hospital but later succumbed to his injuries.

Huseen was remanded in custody again by Judge Emma Deacon KC on Friday after entering his guilty pleas. A sentencing date is expected to be confirmed at a further court hearing scheduled for 27 February.