Royal Sentenced After Child Neglect Incident Linked To Cocaine Use In London

An Emirati royal has been handed a community sentence in the UK after admitting to neglecting a young child during an incident in west London linked to cocaine use.

Mahrah Al Nahyan, 32, who is connected to Abu Dhabi’s royal family through marriage, was found barefoot and slumped against metal railings in June, with an unconscious man nearby and a toddler close to a busy road, according to a report by The Times.

Members of the public intervened after noticing that the child was unattended and without shoes. Police officers subsequently arrived at the scene.

During sentencing, the court heard that Al Nahyan had taken cocaine in the days leading up to the incident and was initially unresponsive to officers. She later shouted at the police when she began speaking.

Officers reportedly found drug paraphernalia during a search, although no illegal substances were recovered.

Al Nahyan admitted one count of child neglect and has since been receiving treatment for drug addiction at a rehabilitation clinic.

Her barrister, Stephen Vullo KC, told the court that she intended to complete a three-month treatment programme before continuing recovery as a day patient and attending Narcotics Anonymous meetings.

“She made a grave mistake that day, and she knows it,” Vullo said.

Justice Johnson KC sentenced Al Nahyan to a two-year community order with a rehabilitation requirement. She was also fined just under $8,000.

The court was told that she receives a monthly allowance of slightly more than $10,500.