The Saudi Prince and the Pauper

A story about modern-day slavery that becomes a blow for British justice, by leading television dramatist Neil McKay.

On 20 October 2010, Saud Abdulaziz bin Nasser al Saud, a grandson of the King of Saudi Arabia, was sentenced to 20 years for strangling and beating Bandar Abdulaziz to death. Bandar was his servant, his lover, his punch-bag and his slave.

The drama takes place in the police station and courtroom, with commentary by Omar, an anonymous Saudi blogger.

During his time in London, Prince al Saud indulged in a two-week hedonistic spree with Bandar in tow, during which they dined at the best restaurants, left £50 tips, drank champagne and cocktails, and entertained gay masseurs. At the end of the fortnight, on Valentine's Day, the prince murdered Bandar. He spent the next 12 hours on the phone to Saudi Arabia, working out how to cover up his crime. When the police arrived, he tried to claim diplomatic immunity.

Bandar died from heavy blows to his head and neck and with bite marks on his face and arms. The postmortem revealed internal injuries and scarring commensurate with long-term physical abuse. The jury took less than 90 minutes to find the prince guilty of murder and grievous bodily harm. The prince is the most senior member of the Saudi Royal Family ever to be convicted and jailed for a serious crime. Outside the Old Bailey, DCI John McFarlane pronounced, "No man, not even a prince, is above the law."

Neil McKay is a Bafta award-winning television dramatist (Appropriate Adult, The Suspicions of Mr Whicher, Mo, See No Evil, Dunkirk, Innocents, The Hunt for the Yorkshire Ripper) who specialises in stories about real lives. The script was co-written by Neil McKay and Melanie Harris.

Cast:
Fletcher ..... Ralph Ineson
Omar & Prince ..... Yousef Kerkour
Rob ..... Lloyd Thomas
Sandy, Custody Sergeant ..... Mary Doherty

Sound Design: Eloise Whitmore
Director/Producer: Melanie Harris
A Sparklab production for BBC Radio 4