Mahrah Al Nahyan receives community order for child neglect

Mahrah Al Nahyan, 32, has been sentenced to a two-year community order and fined £6,114 after admitting one charge of child neglect. The incident occurred on June 13, when Ms Al Nahyan was found lying on the ground next to an unconscious man while a toddler played barefoot nearby. The court heard that members of the public intervened as the child appeared to be in close proximity to moving traffic.

Court proceedings

Appearing at Southwark Crown Court, Ms Al Nahyan, who is connected to the Abu Dhabi royal family through marriage, pleaded guilty to the neglect charge. Prosecutors stated that passers-by noticed the child was unattended and without shoes, prompting them to step in. Ms Al Nahyan remained unconscious for approximately 30 minutes after being discovered. Upon waking, she questioned the concern shown by those who intervened. While drug paraphernalia was found in her bags, no illicit substances were present. Defence counsel indicated that Ms Al Nahyan had been undergoing drug addiction treatment at the Priory clinic in Woking since the incident and had shown remorse.

The judge, Mr Justice Johnson KC, noted the significant risk to the child had strangers not intervened, highlighting potential dangers such as the child running away, becoming lost, or being harmed by another individual. The judge also acknowledged the distress the child might have experienced seeing the two unconscious adults.

Sentence and future plans

Ms Al Nahyan's sentence includes a rehabilitation requirement. Her defence lawyer stated that she intended to complete a three-month treatment programme and subsequently rent a property in the Guildford area to attend Narcotics Anonymous meetings as a day patient. The court heard she had made a serious error in judgment and recognised the gravity of her actions.