Mahrah Al Nahyan sentenced for child neglect in London after a young child was found barefoot and unattended near a road while she and another adult were reportedly incapacitated. Southwark Crown Court imposed a two-year community order, rehabilitation requirements and a £6,114 fine.
Southwark Crown Court sentence
Mahrah Al Nahyan, 32, admitted one count of child neglect following an incident in west London on June 13. She appeared at Southwark Crown Court, where the judge imposed a two-year community order and ordered her to continue rehabilitation treatment.
The court also fined her £6,114. Reports have described Al Nahyan as connected to Abu Dhabi's ruling family through marriage, although the precise nature of that relationship has not been independently established in the information available.
The case centred on the safety of a young child who was in her care at the time of the incident.
London street incident
Members of the public reportedly found Al Nahyan lying on a street near an unconscious man while a barefoot toddler was nearby with a scooter and close to moving traffic.
Concerned bystanders contacted police and looked after the child until officers arrived. Prosecutor Rio Pahlavanpour told the court that members of the public intervened because the child appeared to be unattended and potentially at risk.
The circumstances prompted a child neglect investigation and later criminal proceedings.
Police find paraphernalia
Police reportedly discovered drug paraphernalia among Al Nahyan's belongings, although officers did not find illicit substances.
Reports alleged that she had used Class A drugs before the incident, including claims involving cocaine. However, her defence lawyer, Stephen Vullo KC, told the court that she had not taken drugs on the day in question.
Because those accounts differ, the allegation of drug use that day should be treated separately from the child neglect charge she admitted.
Drug treatment at Priory
The court heard that Al Nahyan had entered treatment at the Priory centre in Woking, Surrey. Her lawyer said she was participating in a three-month rehabilitation programme and had not used drugs since beginning treatment.
The rehabilitation requirement forms an important part of the community order. Rather than imposing an immediate prison sentence, the court ordered measures intended to address the circumstances linked to the offence while maintaining supervision.
Judge cites child safety risk
The judge focused strongly on the danger faced by the child during the incident. The court heard that the toddler could have wandered into traffic, become distressed or been harmed while the adults responsible for supervision were unable to provide proper care.
The judge said Al Nahyan had shown recklessness toward the child's safety and noted that strangers had been forced to intervene.
The case highlights how child neglect offences can arise when intoxication or incapacity prevents an adult from providing adequate supervision. While allegations surrounding drug use attracted significant attention, the central legal issue before the court was the risk created for the child.
