Housekeeper accused of stealing princess's jewels in Belgravia, London
A 71-year-old housekeeper allegedly stole jewellery from a Jordanian princess's London home, with pieces later auctioned for thousands of pounds.
Housekeeper in Belgravia theft trial over Jordanian princess's stolen jewels
A 71-year-old housekeeper stole jewellery — including a custom sapphire and diamond ring — from the Belgravia home of a Jordanian princess, with some pieces later sold at auction for thousands of pounds, bbc.com reports.
Maria Virgelina Taborda Henao denies stealing various items of jewellery from her former employer, Princess Firyal Irshaid. The alleged thefts are said to have taken place on or before 26 November 2020, Southwark Crown Court heard.
Prosecution barrister Oliver Wellings told the court that Taborda Henao had worked as the princess's housekeeper for 11 years before the alleged offences. When Princess Firyal left London in March 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic, Taborda Henao remained at the Belgravia property. Jurors were told she was the only person with permission to access the princess's belongings in her absence.
On 21 November 2020, Princess Firyal received a call from a partner at high-end jeweller JAR, informing her that two pieces of her jewellery were being sold at auction in England. She identified a "unique" JAR sapphire and diamond ring — made especially for her — listed for sale at Canterbury Auction Galleries. Further items were also identified, including pieces already sold by the auction house since June 2020.
The princess contacted police, who arrested Taborda Henao and searched her home. Officers recovered the princess's wedding ring inside a coat, a jewelled metal necklace in a kitchen cupboard, and an envelope containing earrings. Wellings said the princess had believed her wedding ring was lost "some time ago" and that "she would never have given away such an important personal item."
Wellings described Taborda Henao's nephew, Julian Ramirez, as a "key conduit" for the sale of the allegedly stolen items. Ramirez first attended Canterbury Auction Galleries in March 2019 for a valuation day and returned in 2020, when items he brought were listed for auction. He received approximately £90,000 in revenue from the auction house, the court heard. Between 23 June 2019 and 28 November 2020, he transferred £17,835 to his aunt.
Princess Firyal returned to London in May 2021 and "found much of her jewellery missing," the court was told. Wellings said that only costume jewellery remained in the property. The princess produced receipts and photographs of herself wearing the missing pieces as evidence of ownership. Among the items was a "unique" pair of enamel and gem-set earrings purchased for £28,750 at Sotheby's in 2011 and later sold at Canterbury for just £400 in 2020.
Wellings noted the jewellery that appeared at Canterbury represented "a small selection of the total items missing," based on the "lengthy" list provided by the princess.
Ramirez was arrested at an address in Rochester, Kent, on the same day as his aunt, but was released on bail. He is believed to have flown to Colombia in October 2023 and has not returned to the United Kingdom.
Taborda Henao, of Hammersmith and Fulham in west London, has denied theft by an employee.
Source: Google News IE — Crime (en)