Wealthy ex-wife robbed during burglary

THE £48 million (€71m) divorcee Beverley Charman was tied up and robbed of her jewellery at her luxury home by a balaclava-clad gunman, police said yesterday.

The 53-year-old ex-wife of insurance magnate John Charman, whose divorce payout made legal history, was threatened by a gunman when she was home alone on Friday.

A man broke into the house, which is on a private road and is surrounded by high walls and electronically controlled gates, in Sevenoaks, Kent.

Mrs Charman was threatened with a gun — which police said could possibly have been an imitation gun or a pellet gun — and forced to open a safe and hand over valuable jewellery.

She was bound, but not gagged, and found by one of her two grown-up sons when he arrived home 20 minutes later.

Police are investigating the theory that her high profile divorce may have made her a target for thieves.

A police spokeswoman said: “Kent Police are investigating a burglary that occurred on Friday evening.

“It is said that a man forced entry into the house and tied up a woman who was at the premises alone.

“Several hundred thousand pounds worth of jewellery was stolen and a safe was targeted. The suspect was reported to have used a weapon. The suspect is a white male who wore a balaclava and dark clothing.”

Mrs Charman’s £48m divorce settlement is being challenged by her former partner and owner of the Axis insurance group.