The verdict has been announced for UAE Princess Mahrah Al Nahyan, who was tried on charges of "child neglect" after being found unconscious next to her 3-year-old child in London, the capital of England.
In the case heard at Southwark Crown Court, it was reported that 32-year-old Al Nahyan, who is part of the Abu Dhabi royal family through marriage, pleaded guilty to the charge. According to information presented to the court, the incident occurred on June 13 on the side of a busy road in London.
BYSTANDERS LOOKED AFTER THE CHILD
During the hearing, it was stated that after Al Nahyan was found unconscious, she remained unresponsive for approximately 30 minutes; during this time, bystanders looked after her 3-year-old child, who was not wearing shoes.
According to testimony in court, when Al Nahyan regained consciousness, she reacted to those around her by saying, "This is not a slaughterhouse, why do you care so much? Why are you so worried?"
It was reported that in a video taken by a bystander, Al Nahyan was seen leaning against railings with her head bowed, while a man was seen lying unconscious in a nearby doorway. It was also stated in court that drug paraphernalia was found in Al Nahyan's bags, although no illegal substances were detected.
Al Nahyan's lawyer, Stephen Vullo KC, argued that his client had not used drugs on the day of the incident, but was very tired due to cocaine use in the preceding days. Vullo said, "She made a very big mistake that day and she is aware of it."
2-YEAR SUSPENDED SENTENCE
Announcing the verdict, Judge Johnson KC emphasized that if it were not for the intervention of strangers, there would have been a high risk of the child suffering serious injury or worse. The judge noted that the child could have run away, gotten lost, or been harmed by a stranger.
The court sentenced Al Nahyan to a 2-year suspended sentence with a rehabilitation requirement and a fine of 6,114 pounds. It was reported that after being found unconscious, Al Nahyan received treatment for drug addiction at the Priory clinic in Woking, Surrey.
News Source: 12punto
