Millionaire’s wife steps out of shower to find burglar

A BURGLAR threatened the half-naked wife of Sir Philip Green’s stepson in a raid on her £18 million home before running off with jewellery worth millions, a court has heard.

Robert Lewis, 41, is alleged to have broken into the home by Lord’s cricket ground in London and threatened Magda Palos, 37, as she was getting out of the shower wrapped just in a towel.

Mrs Palos, wife of Brett Palos, a property tycoon, was subjected to a harrowing 10-minute ordeal in the presence of her six-year-old daughter at their St John’s Wood mansion, Harrow Crown Court heard.

It is alleged Mr Lewis brandished wire cutters to force her to hand over watches and valuables worth more than £2million during a raid on Dec 10, 2016. Prosecutor Roger Smart said: “The burglar gained entry to the property having forced open a window. He picked up Mr Palos’s briefcase and made his way to the upper floors.

“Mrs Palos had in fact just come out of the shower and was naked save for being wrapped in a towel.”

It is alleged Mr Lewis told Mrs Palos: “I’m not going to hurt you. I just want your jewellery and cash.”

She replied: “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Indicating the little girl, Mr Lewis then allegedly said: “I am not going to hurt you or her.”

She was shaking and told her daughter to go to her room, but in fact she remained. Mr Lewis allegedly told Mrs Palos to put her jewellery in a briefcase, continually asking if it was real.

When he asked for her mobile phone she pleaded for him not to take it. He then left, telling her not to raise the alarm for 10 minutes. He left the phone downstairs. Mr Lewis, of west London, denies aggravated burglary.

The trial continues.