Tamara Ecclestone burglary: Man in court

Image source, PA Media

Image caption, Tamara Ecclestone's jewellery was said to have been stolen in the raid on her house next to Hyde Park

A man has appeared in court accused of being involved in several burglaries, including a 拢50m jewellery and cash raid on heiress Tamara Ecclestone's west London home.

Italian Alessandro Maltese appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court charged with conspiracy to commit burglary between 30 November and 1 February.

He was held in Italy under a European Arrest Warrant earlier this month.

Mr Maltese will next appear at Isleworth Crown Court on 13 November.

Diamond earrings

The 44-year-old was flown from Italy to Heathrow Airport where he was charged with burgling the homes, including Ms Ecclestone's home near Kensington Palace on 13 December.

A 拢300,000 pair of diamond earrings and a Louis Vuitton bag were among the items stolen, which had a total estimated worth of 拢50m.

The burglary occurred after Ms Ecclestone, the daughter of former Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone, left the country for a Christmas holiday with her husband Jay Rutland and their daughter Sophia.

Mr Maltese, who was assisted during the hearing by an interpreter, spoke only to give his name and nationality as Italian.