Caught on CCTV: Firebomb terror at Ecclestone home
Hunt for hooded duo after mansion attack
THIS is the moment a petrol bomb exploded at the mansion of heiress and model Petra Ecclestone.
The terrifying attack was caught on CCTV, as a bottle was lobbed over security gates before landing on the drive and bursting into flames just yards from the 27-yearold’s Range Rover.
Police said anyone standing in the drive could have been severely injured, and the unidentified bombers showed a ‘complete disregard’ for people’s safety.
Detectives are searching for two hooded youths seen running past the tall gates of the luxury property in Chelsea, west London.
Yesterday they released the arson CCTV and images of the suspects for the first time in an appeal for information.
Friends of Miss Ecclestone, who is married to bullion trader and art dealer James Stunt, 34, suggested the attack was motivated by envy.
A spokesman said that the incident was ‘thought to be the action of a disaffected member of the public who disapproves of the Stunts’ lifestyle’.
Miss Ecclestone and her three young children were not at home when the bombers struck at 5.30pm on April 24. A member of her staff is thought to have called the fire brigade.
Officers from Kensington and Chelsea CID believe the two arsonists are linked to a street gang, but despite a six-month investigation have been unable to identify them.
Detective Constable Clare Reynolds said: ‘We are keen to hear from anyone who may recognise
‘Could have been seriously injured’
those shown in the images released, or anyone who witnessed the incident. These men showed a complete disregard for anyone’s safety by blindly throwing flammable liquid over a gate.
‘If anyone had been on the other side, they could have been seriously injured.’
Police said the two black men were wearing black zip-up sports jackets with the hoods pulled up. They appeared to be in their early twenties, and one may have had a bag slung across his chest. They fled in the direction of the King’s Road, a few minutes’ walk away.
Miss Ecclestone – the daughter of Formula 1 billionaire Bernie Ecclestone – has spent millions renovating the 14-bedroom, grade II listed mansion since buying it with cash in 2012.
The six-storey home is protected by a high brick wall. Three of the floors are underground and the couple are said to keep ten cars with personalised number plates at the home, including Bentleys, Rolls-Royces and Lamborghinis. Neighbours said they were hardly ever there, but security staff were regularly seen at the house. Miss Ecclestone and her husband, who have 18- month- old twin boys and a daughter, three, also own a £60million property just a stone’s throw away in Eaton Square, one of the country’s most exclusive addresses. They have a team of security guards and have spent tens of thousands of pounds on security systems at their properties. Mr Stunt, who is known for his flash lifestyle, is believed to have made huge sums trading Old Masters.
But his father-in-law has criticised his love of bling.
Mr Ecclestone, 85, said Mr Stunt’s extravagance was over the top and he should curb his displays of excessive wealth.
He also questioned Mr Stunt’s need for a team of bodyguards, saying: ‘Nobody’s going to kill him.’
The arson attack has come during a bad year for Miss Ecclestone.
Last month, the body of her brother-in-law Lee, 37, was found at his parent’s home in Virginia Water, Surrey. Police said the death was ‘unexplained’.
Days later, the company offices of her husband were raided by police investigating a multi-million-pound fraud while he was in the US. He claims he is the victim of a substantial theft from his bullion firm.
Offices linked to the firm, Stunt & Co, in Mayfair and Bradford were searched by police and the National Crime Agency.
And in July, Miss Ecclestone’s father’s mother-in-law was kidnapped in Brazil for a £28million ransom, but was later released unharmed.