A chauffeur has received a community order after being convicted of stalking Haya Al-Thani, a member of the Qatari royal family, whom he mistakenly believed he had a romantic relationship with. Jihad Abousalah, 47, was sentenced at Westminster Magistrates’ Court after pleading guilty to the charges after exhibiting obsessive behavior over several weeks earlier this year.
According to prosecutor David Burns, the stalking incidents occurred between March 1 and March 23, 2023. Abousalah, who worked as Al-Thani's driver, sent her numerous gifts including flowers and even attempted to give her some directly at her residence. He reportedly sent notes wishing her happy birthday, with gifts including bracelets and floral arrangements.
While Al-Thani was staying in Doha, she began receiving calls from Abousalah, which raised alarms about her personal safety. He attended her London home multiple times, and upon one visit, tried to leave flowers for her with staff members. “The complainant said the fact it was her address left her feeling frightened,” stated Burns, conveying the emotional toll of Abousalah’s actions.
Due to the disturbances inflicted by Abousalah, Al-Thani felt compelled to discuss her concerns with her husband, Mohamed Al-Thani. Together, they took precautionary measures and considered hiring private security to protect their family. “She said the whole incident has caused her alarm and distress. She has said she could not go about her normal day-to-day life,” Burns explained, highlighting the severity of the situation.
Feelings of vulnerability were heightened for Al-Thani, especially because Abousalah was aware of her children’s schedules. This knowledge led her to frequently check the outside of her home for any sign of Abousalah, which compounded her distress. "She feels she needs protection for herself and for her children," Burns asserted as he presented the case to the court.
On Abousalah’s behalf, defense attorney Sundeep Pankhania revealed the underlying mental health issues affecting his client at the time of the offenses. "He had an ill-formed view of being in a relationship with the princess," Pankhania noted, adding this delusion had caused significant upheaval, including the breakdown of his marriage. Abousalah divorced his wife due to his belief about the imaginary relationship with Al-Thani.
Judge Louisa Cieciora emphasized the serious distress caused to the victim during her sentencing remarks. The judge referenced the medical report concerning Abousalah’s mental health condition, indicating how it played a considerable role in the court's decision. "Your responsibility is substantially reduced by reason of your mental disorder," she said.
The judge acknowledged Abousalah's evident remorse, stating, "I note your remorse and I accept it was genuine." Therefore, she sentenced him to complete a 12-month community order with additional rehabilitation requirements, mandatorily attending 30 days of supervised activities aimed at addressing his mental health challenges.
To safeguard Al-Thani and her family, the court also imposed strict measures, including a three-year restraining order prohibiting Abousalah from contacting her or entering the Hyde Park area. By this order, he is legally barred from approaching Al-Thani and her husband, providing them with some peace of mind following the trauma they endured.
This case starkly highlights the troubling realities of stalking and its potential ramifications on the victims involved, as the court navigated complex issues surrounding mental health, personal safety, and the distress stalking causes.
