Mahrah Al Nahyan, 32, a member of the Abu Dhabi royal family through marriage, was found passed out on a street in West London in June after reportedly using cocaine. The incident occurred while she was looking after a 3-year-old child, who was found unattended near moving traffic. Video footage captured by a bystander showed Al Nahyan slumped against railings next to an unconscious man. The child was playing nearby, prompting public intervention until police arrived.
During a court hearing, it was revealed that Al Nahyan admitted to using cocaine days before the incident and was unresponsive to police for approximately 30 minutes. When she did respond, she questioned the police's concern for the situation. Officers discovered drug paraphernalia but did not find illegal substances.
Al Nahyan pleaded guilty to one charge of child neglect and has been undergoing treatment for drug addiction at a rehabilitation clinic since the incident. Her defense attorney, Stephen Vullo KC, stated that she plans to complete a three-month program and intends to continue attending Narcotics Anonymous.
The court sentenced Al Nahyan to a two-year community order with a rehabilitation requirement and imposed a fine totaling nearly $8,000. The judge noted that she receives a monthly allowance of just over $10,500.