Abu Dhabi Royal Mahrah Al Nahyan Admits Child Neglect After Collapsing on Cocaine Beside Toddler
The 32-year-old received a two-year community order with rehabilitation, a £5,000 fine and £1,000 in prosecution costs
Mahrah Al Nahyan, a member of Abu Dhabi's ruling royal family by marriage, has admitted child neglect after being found unconscious on a west London street while a barefoot three-year-old in her care played near moving traffic.
The 32-year-old received a two-year community order with a rehabilitation requirement at Southwark Crown Court on Tuesday, 13 October. She was also fined £5,000 and ordered to pay £1,000 in prosecution costs.
Passers-by Intervened To Protect Child
The court heard that Al Nahyan was found slumped against railings near an unconscious man during the incident in June, with the child unattended nearby.
Prosecutor Rio Pahlavanpour said a passer-by noticed that the youngster was barefoot, had a scooter and appeared to be close to moving traffic. Members of the public intervened to protect the child.
Une membre de la famille royale d'Abu Dhabi a été retrouvée effondrée dans la rue après une overdose alors qu'elle s'occupait d'un enfant de trois ans, a-t-on appris devant le tribunal.Mahrah Al Nahyan, 32 ans, a été retrouvée affalée sur une rambarde près d'un homme inconscient après avoir pris de la cocaïne, tandis qu'un tout-petit pieds nus jouait au bord d'une route très fréquentée.
— Claire Langoulant ⚜️♛ (@Cuisines1974) October 14, 2026
The court was told that the youngster ran towards the road while chasing a piece of paper and was stopped by a passer-by.
Al Nahyan remained unresponsive for about 30 minutes after police arrived, according to the prosecution's account. Officers found drug paraphernalia among her belongings but no illegal substances.
When she regained consciousness, she was reported to have said: 'This is not a slaughterhouse, why do you care so much? Why are you so worried?'
Footage of the incident showed Al Nahyan slumped against railings, with children's toys nearby.
Judge Criticises Disregard For Child's Safety
Mr Justice Johnson criticised Al Nahyan's conduct, saying she had exposed the child to the risk of serious harm.
'By leaving [the child] to play barefoot in the street while under the influence of drugs, you showed a recklessness and disregard for [the child's] safety,' he said.
The judge warned that the child could have been seriously injured without the intervention of members of the public. He also referred to the risk of the youngster becoming lost or being harmed by another person.
Al Nahyan admitted one count of child neglect. Her sentence included a rehabilitation requirement alongside the fine and prosecution costs.
The court also heard that she receives a monthly allowance of £8,000.
Defence Says Cocaine Was Taken In Preceding Days
Stephen Vullo KC, defending, said Al Nahyan had not taken cocaine on the day she was found unconscious. He said she was exhausted after taking the drug in the preceding days.
Vullo said she had shown 'significant remorse and resolve to overcome her addiction'.
The defence told the court that Al Nahyan had entered treatment at the Priory in Woking, Surrey, in July and had remained drug-free since beginning the programme.
'She made a grave mistake that day and she knows it,' Vullo said.
Court Hears About Continuing Treatment
The defence said Al Nahyan intended to complete her three-month treatment programme at the end of October before continuing her recovery outside the residential setting.
Vullo told the court that she planned to rent a property near Guildford and continue treatment as a day patient while attending Narcotics Anonymous meetings.
The two-year community order requires her to undergo rehabilitation as part of the sentence imposed for neglecting the child in her care.
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