Afternoon:
15°c
Gay Saudi prince jailed for life after murdering manservant
Paul Cheston, Courts Correspondent20 Oct 2010
A gay Saudi prince was today jailed for life for beating and strangling his servant to death in the culmination of a campaign of "sadistic" abuse.
Saud Abdulaziz bin Nasser al Saud must serve a minimum term of 20 years in jail for murdering Bandar Abdulaziz in a "brutal" assault at their five-star hotel.
The prince bit the 32-year-old hard on both cheeks during the attack at their suite in February, which was said to have had a "sexual element".
He was fuelled by champagne and Sex on the Beach cocktails when he began the ferocious beating after a Valentine's Day night out.
When arrested, he at first wrongly believed he had diplomatic immunity but his special status as a Saudi royal could not save him from British justice.
The 34-year-old, a member of one of the world's richest and most powerful dynasties, was found guilty of murder by an Old Bailey jury after just one hour and 35 minutes of deliberation.
He was also convicted of a second count of grievous bodily harm with intent relating to a previous "nasty" attack in a lift at the Landmark Hotel, in Marylebone, central London, where the men were staying.
If he ever returns to his home country, Saud faces the possibility of execution because being gay is a capital offence there.
He could seek asylum in Britain when he is eventually released.
Sentencing him today, Mr Justice Bean said: "It is very unusual for a prince to be in the dock on a murder charge.
"No-one in this country is above the law. It would be wrong for me to sentence you either more severely or more leniently because of your membership of the Saudi royal family."
The prince, standing in the dock with his arms crossed, showed no emotion as the sentence was handed down.
Reader views (11)
I read that this hasn't been reported in Saudia Arabia, but it will get out. There are too many dissidents to make sure it does, too many people who want to bring the Royal Family down. All I can say is, Forward to a democratic Saudia Arabia, where teh wealth is shared equally.
- Sue R, London, 20/10/2010 19:07
Report abuse
Er no Adam. That's why he hung around after he'd killed the guy instead of legging it, he's got so used to being above the law. I guarantee if this had happened in Saudi it would have been swept under the carpet. Even the homosexual allegations would be; Don't you think everyone in his little circle would know he's gay? Obviously he can't be open and admit it publically and that's part of why he's a playboy travelling the western world, but he's under no threat at all if he was to go back to Saudi Arabia. It would be too much of a scandal to publically admit a member of their royal family was a homosexual murderer...the former bit being the most humiliating for them.
- Kevin, Watford, 20/10/2010 16:50
Report abuse
Disgusting filth, lock him up and throw away the keys!
- Mohammed, London, 20/10/2010 16:25
Report abuse
World is going crazy
- Hasan, London, 20/10/2010 14:44
Report abuse
Anyone with just 2 working braincells knows that as soon as the Saudis threaten to cancel one of their very lucrative contracts with a British firm, they'll let him free.
Money talks in this country!
- John Smith, Londonistan, EUSSR, 20/10/2010 12:24
Report abuse
CREDIT WHERE ITS DUE...NICE ONE KELL GIRL..OF THE PURL
PERHAPS HE`LL JOIN THE "D" WING BOXING CLUB....
RING... BATTERED... ABOUT...THE..
OH GO AWAY DENNIS
- QUENTIN BREWMASTER, LONDON, 20/10/2010 12:24
Report abuse
No Mr Adam in Saudi Arabia law is only for poor peoples or foreigner only. If he is there, he must be hehaded or pay the blood money to the deceased. Salute to British Justice.
- Sular, Streatham,Lonon, 20/10/2010 12:21
Report abuse
Disgusting dirty murdering bully, with a medieval mindset that they own instead of employing servants!
Send him back to Saudi Arabia: he can receive what he dished out.
- James from Camden, London, 20/10/2010 12:13
Report abuse
The cost for his incarceration ought to be charged to the Saudi government/royal family.
- Alex, Fulham, 20/10/2010 12:11
Report abuse
They are very very cruel peoples. May be he has killed many peoples in his country.Up held the British justice.Rich or poor no one is above law. God bless you Mr Justice Bean
- Sular, Streatham,Lonon, 20/10/2010 12:06
Report abuse
I'd send him back to Saudi Arabia. I'm sure the scentence there will be more in line with the crime.
- Adam, Harrow, uk, 20/10/2010 11:24
Report abuse
