Princess Sara's ex-boyfriend in court

The ex-boyfriend of Saudi Arabian princess Sara Al-Amoudi appeared in a London court yesterday (15.07.10), accused of assaulting her driver Sarkis Tokatlian.

The ex-boyfriend of a Saudi Arabian princess allegedly attacked her chauffeur after she caught him cheating on her.

Swedish model Patrick Ribbsaeter was in Southwark Crown Court yesterday (15.07.10), has been accused of assaulting Sarkis Tokatlian in London, after the driver stepped in to defend Sara Al-Amoudi.

The princess had apparently dumped 30-year-old Ribbsaeter after finding him at her flat in Victoria, London with two other women.

After the split, the pair went for dinner, then to several nightclubs before returning to the flat to discuss their future - where it is believed Sara ended the relationship.

Ribbsaeter is accused of lunging at the royal whilst she slept, when her driver stepped in and pulled the model off her.

The court heard how Ribbsaeter - who was described in court as a "gold-digger" - then smashed a wine glass and stabbed Sarkis in the face six times before attempting to strangle him.

Prosecutor Martin Whitehouse said: "Ribbsaeter intended to cause him really serious harm and he was not acting in self-defence.

"By the time it had got round to the strangling, Patrick Ribbsaeter had lost it. He wasn't thinking about her. He was thinking about his future prosperity.

"When he was found out, and realised he could not charm his way out, he reverted to his other character type - violence."

However, Ribbsaeter told the jury the driver had caused the row, and he was merely defending himself.

He also admitted he had been drinking and took an ecstacy tablet and small amount of ketamine during the evening.

Ribbsaeter denies causing Sarkis grievous bodily harm with intent, the alternative charge of inflicting grievous bodily harm, and unlawfully wounding Sara during the struggle.