Court proceedings are underway over the theft of the Portland tiara which was stolen from from the Welbeck Estate in Nottinghamshire back in November 2018.
Legal proceedings are active meaning only limited information can be published at this stage of the judicial process.
However, it can be reported that a preliminary hearing took place at Nottingham Crown Court on Thursday 19th November in regards to 13 defendants – 12 men and a woman.
None of the defendants appeared in court. The matter has been adjourned until next January where it is expected that pleas will be entered.
Judge Gregory Dickinson QC, the Recorder of Nottingham, said that in the event of a trial, an already busy court schedule means that such a lengthy hearing would not likely be able to take place until early 2022.
The Portland tiara was made by Cartier in 1902 ahead of the coronation of King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra.
The item, which is described as being a national treasure, is still missing with a reward of £100,000 being offered for information leading to the item’s recovery.
Please be aware that legal proceedings are active in this case. As such, we would urge our readers to be mindful of the law in the United Kingdom. In particular, posting prejudicial comments on social media about these proceedings could place you in contempt of court, which in turn could lead to a substantial fine and/or imprisonment.
