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An alleged escort accused of being the “matriarch” behind a £ 25 million robbery conspiracy told a detective that she had “beautiful blue eyes” during questioning, a court has heard.
Maria Mester reportedly made the comments after she was arrested by police at Stansted Airport upon her arrival in the UK in January 2020 on suspicion of her involvement in the largest domestic robbery plot in British history.
Isleworth Crown Court heard that Mester, 47, was arrested while wearing a pair of £ 6,000 earrings allegedly stolen during a raid on the Kensington home of socialite Tamara Ecclestone.
Mester, his son Emil Bogdan Savastru, 30, his childhood friend Sorin Marcovici, 53, and Alexandru Stan, 49, deny having conspired to rob three houses in west London during a two-week spree in December. past.
The quartet is not on trial for carrying out the raids, which also included theft of cash, property and jewelry from the homes of Chelsea FC manager Frank Lampard and his wife, television host Christine Lampard, and the late president. for Leicester City FC Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha. .
Frank Lampard and his wife Christine Lampard were also attacked
Four men accused of being the thieves cannot be named for legal reasons.
The court heard how Mester denied being part of the plot after his arrest, but repeatedly asked for a cigarette.
She told Detective Constable Glen Peach, “I know you love great people, I have nothing to do with it.”
When asked why she was wearing stolen earrings, Mester replied, “What beautiful blue eyes you have.
“Let me have a cigarette, blue eyes.”
The detective thanked the suspect for the compliment, before questioning Mester about his alleged involvement.
The home of late Leicester City FC owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha was also raided
But Mester kept asking to be allowed to smoke, even when told that she and her son faced a lengthy prison sentence if convicted.
She said, “No, no, no. Please have a cigarette.”
She said, “I’ve never been to that (Tamara Ecclestone’s) house, I’ve never stolen.”
On Monday, jurors heard Mester tell police that “I have never stolen even a chicken in my life” when she was arrested.
Her lawyer previously described her as a “prostitute” who was paid thousands of euros for a week’s work in London.
Prosecutors say Mester and his three co-defendants were involved as members of the “supporting cast” of the alleged thieves, arranging transportation, lodging and other assistance at various points, before helping launder the proceeds.
All four deny the charges.
The trial continues.
