Second royal butler theft trial collapses

THE trial of royal butler Harold Brown and society jeweller Jan Havlik, who were charged in connection with the theft of valuables from the estate of Princess Diana, collapsed at the Old Bailey yesterday.

It is the second time in a month that the prosecution of a royal servant has failed.

Princess Diana’s former butler Paul Burrell was cleared of theft charges at the Old Bailey on November 1 after royal intervention destroyed the Crown’s case.

It emerged that Mr Burrell had told the Queen in a private conversation following Diana’s death that he had kept some of the princess’s possessions for safe keeping.

Prosecutor William Boyce QC said yesterday(OK) there was no realistic prospect of a conviction in connection with Mr Brown since the collapse of the Burrell trial.

Mr Brown, 50, from Tunbridge Wells, Kent, had been accused of stealing valuables worth more than 780,000 from Diana’s estate.

He faced three charges, which alleged he stole an ornate model Arabian sailing vessel between January 1 and November 2, 1997; a bangle and pair of earrings between January 1 and December 2, 1997; and a diamond daffodil motif between January 1 and November 12, 1997.

Mr Brown had been a servant to senior members of the royal family for more than three decades and continued to work for the ailing Princess Margaret even after he was charged.

Mr Havlik, 51, was accused of dishonestly handling the valuables.

The Old Bailey was given a glimpse of Mr Brown’s likely defence: that the royals often gave away gifts.

The court was told the Prince of Wales once handed staff an envelope and note saying: “There is a very good gold wedding ring here which someone in the office might find useful.” It was not made clear whose wedding ring it was but St James’s Palace said later the Prince wears his own wedding ring to this day.

Outside court, Mr Brown’s solicitor said he was delighted with the result and would never sell his story.

The police immediately moved to head off criticism of their 3million investigations into the two cases by announcing an internal review.

A spokesman for the Police Federation insisted officers had produced “compelling and persuasive evidence” but could not have known that the Queen would intervene.