Colombian cleaner stole £188k of jewellery from Jordanian princesss London home during pandemic before trying to auction it in Paris, court told
A Colombian cleaner stole £188,000 worth of jewellery from a Jordanian princesss London home during the pandemic before trying to auction it in Paris, a court has been told.
A Colombian cleaner stole £188,000 worth of jewellery from a Jordanian princesss London home during the pandemic before trying to auction it in Paris, a court has been told.
Maria Taborda Henao, 69, yesterday denied swiping diamond rings, bracelets, watches and earrings while working for Princess Firyal of Jordan at her £6million Belgravia property in 2020.
Henao is said to have stolen the jewellery belonging to the 80-year-old princess before her nephew Julain Ramirez, 41, allegedly sold them on.
Ramirez was due to appear at Westminster Magistrates Court alongside Henao but is said to be in Colombia receiving treatment for a heart condition. A warrant was issued for his arrest.
Leila Bibi Nahaboo-Osman, prosecuting, said: The complainant had a house in London where the defendant was employed as a housekeeper.
The complainant travelled to Jordan during the pandemic leaving the defendant in the property.
There was approximately £188,000 of sentimental and historic jewellery.
These items were stolen.
A cleaner yesterday denied swiping diamond rings, bracelets, watches and earrings while working for Princess Firyal of Jordan (pictured) at her £6million Belgravia property in 2020
Ms Nahaboo-Osman said the princess was contacted by a high-end jeweller in Paris.
The complainant became aware that her sapphire and diamond ring was being listed for auction without her consent.
The auction website showed a large number of jewellery belonging to the princess, the court heard.
Henao had worked for Princess Firyal for 11 years.
This was a breach of high trust and responsibility by a long term employee, said Ms Nahaboo-Osman.
Henao, of Fulham, appeared in court wearing white jeans and a white jumper aided by a Spanish Interpreter.
She indicated a not guilty plea to one charge of theft by employee and was bailed ahead of a plea and trial preparation hearing at Southwark Crown Court on May 12.
Born in Jerusalem in 1945, Princess Firyal (pictured in 1997) grew up as the daughter of Farid Mahmoud Irshaid, a political leader who served in the government and as a parliamentarian in the Senate in Jordan
Princess Firyal is the former wife of Prince Muhammad bin Talal, the second son of the late King Talal of Jordan.
The humanitarian and philanthropist is the daughter of Farid Mahmoud Irshaid, a political leader who served in the government and as a parliamentarian in the Senate in Jordan.
Her mother Farida was Chair of the Red Crescent Society in The West Bank.
After studying in America, she married Prince Muhammad bin Talal in 1964.
The prince is the second son of Talal bin Abdullah, who was king of Jordan from 1951 until his abdication a year later in 1952.
Princess Firyal, an UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador since 1992, holds several philanthropic positions, including as a member of the International Council of the Tate Modern in London.