‘Winner’s lover beat widow in revenge attack’
MICHAEL Winner’s widow told a court yesterday how she was beaten and robbed of £300,000 in cash and valuables by the film director’s alleged ex-lover.
Geraldine Winner, now 81, suffered head injuries when she claimed she was battered with a kettle and metal pole at her £4million home in 2015.
Gurgana Gueorguieva fled the apartment in London’s Knightsbridge leaving Mrs Winner bloodied, blindfolded and bound hand and foot. She needed 30 stitches to a wound in her head.
Southwark Crown Court heard that Gueorguieva warned her: “Don’t go to the police or you’ll have to look over your shoulder for the rest of your life.”
Mr Winner died of liver failure in January 2013, aged 77.
Bulgarian-born Gueorguieva, 48, attacked Mrs Winner in revenge after she lost out when she was written out of the director’s will, the court heard.
The personal trainer struck when the widow opened her door to put the rubbish out. Gueorguieva stole cash from drawers including £300 in dollars and Swiss francs, his widow said. She emptied the safe of jewellery and cut a valuable painting from its frame.
Gueorguieva, of Holland Park, west London, admits robbery but insists she struck Mrs Winner by accident. She also disputes the value of the haul.
She claims she had an affair with Mr Winner which ended in 2002.
Defending, Patrick Dennis said: “When Mr Winner died she understood she would be receiving something in his will and felt Geraldine Winner caused that will to be altered.”
Gueorguieva will be sentenced after a hearing into the facts of the case.