A jury has gone out to consider its verdict in the trial of a man accused of stealing more than £2 million of jewellery from the home of the stepson of billionaire businessman Sir Philip Green.
Robert Lewis, 41, allegedly broke in to Brett Palos and his wife Magda’s house and ordered Mrs Palos to hand over all her valuables while she was wearing only a towel, having just stepped out of the shower, a court was told.
A heart-shaped diamond ring, a Chanel Camelia ring, three Cartier bracelets and a number of Rolex watches were among the stolen items, the jury at Harrow Crown Court has heard.
An intruder had forced a window on the ground floor of the property which sits at the end of a private, gated street in St John’s Wood, north-west London.
In total £2,003,653 worth of jewellery and watches were taken in the raid on December 10 2016 at around 7.15am, the court heard.
Lewis, of Paddington, west London, denies burglary, aggravated burglary and robbery.
He was picked out of an identity parade and a full-match profile of his DNA was found around the damaged window frame, the jury has heard.
Lewis says he does not know how his DNA got there, according to Elroy Claxton, defending.
Lewis, who has a string of previous convictions for burglary and attempted burglary, did not give evidence at trial or answer any questions when interviewed by police.
Mr Palos is the son of Sir Philip’s wife Lady Christina Green and her first husband, Robert Palos.
He is a property developer and also sits on the board of Sir Philip’s Arcadia Group, which owns brands including Topshop, Miss Selfridge and Dorothy Perkins.