London, Oct 20: Gay Saudi prince Saud Abdulaziz bin Nasser al Saud has been jailed for life for beating and strangling his servant to death in the culmination of a campaign of ''sadistic'' abuse.
He 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.''
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