Saudi Prince killed servant in attack with sexual element, court told
The grandson of the King of Saudi Arabia beat his servant to death in an attack which had a sexual element, a jury at the Old Bailey heard yesterday.
6 October 2010
The grandson of the King of Saudi Arabia beat his servant to death in an attack which had a sexual element, a jury at the Old Bailey heard yesterday.
Saud Abdulaziz bin Nasser al Saud, 34, killed Bandar Abdulaziz in a murder of “ferocity” it is claimed.
According to The Mirror, Bandar Abdulaziz, 32, was found strangled in a Marylebone hotel suite which he was sharing with the prince, in February.
He suffered brain damage, fractured ribs, a split lip and broken teeth.
Although al Saud claims their relationship was one of equals, he is alleged to have subjected his aide to repeated vicious assaults over several weeks.
The court heard that the victim had spent the last three years travelling as an “occasional companion” to the prince after meeting via friends.
Prosecutor Jonathan Laidlaw, QC said: “Theirs was a far more complicated relationship than the defendant was prepared to admit. Abuse was not confined to physical violence. There was a sexual element as well.”
Although the prince has denied being gay, a barman at the Sanderson Hotel said the prince flirted with him and suggested they go on a date.
According to the Mirror, two male escorts also visited the prince’s hotel suite and police said that he had visited gay escort websites.
He denies grievous bodily harm with intent. The trial continues.
