Bandar Abdulaziz was found beaten and strangled in the Landmark Hotel A Saudi prince accused of murder was not in a gay relationship with the alleged victim, his lawyer has said.
Bandar Abdulaziz, 32, was found beaten and strangled in central London’s Landmark Hotel, on 15 February.
Saud Abdulaziz bin Nasser al Saud, 34, admits manslaughter but denies murder and a separate count of causing grievous bodily harm with intent.
Mr Al Saud had carried out several assaults on the victim before he died, the Old Bailey has heard.
The jury has been asked to decide whether he is guilty of manslaughter or murder.
Dobomir Dimitrov, a porter from the Landmark Hotel in Marylebone, who went to their room during their stay, said: “I would describe them as a gay couple.”
But the prince’s barrister John Kelsey-Fry QC said in cross-examination: “It is not accepted that this was in fact a gay couple – but I readily accept that you had the impression they were a gay couple.”
When the body was found, in a room at the hotel in Marylebone, the prince claimed his aide had been attacked and robbed three weeks before his death.
Mr Dimitrov, who is gay himself, said he believed they were not behaving like two heterosexual men.
He said of Mr Abdulaziz: “It was impossible not to notice that he was homosexual.”
Mr Kelsey-Fry said: “You had an effeminate gay man sharing a room with another man and colour coding their clothing?”
“Yes,” Mr Dimitrov replied.
“That is why you were led to the impression of them being a gay couple?” asked Mr Kelsey-Fry.
“Yes,” the witness answered.
The prince, 34, admits killing Mr Abdulaziz but denies murder and a separate charge of grievous bodily harm with intent relating to an alleged assault in a lift at the hotel weeks before.
The case continues.
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