Model and reality TV star Marinika Smirnova – whose family founded Smirnoff vodka – is accused of hiring Robin Murray, 29, to pose as a debt collector and scam Sergei Kapchuk out of £2,000.
Mr Kapchuk had taken her to court over a share of her first husband's divorce payment that she allegedly agreed to hand over to him.
But she won the case, and he was ordered to cough up £87,000 court costs.
When he didn't pay, she reportedly sent Murray to his Kensington mansion with fake documents.
The court heard that he stole two Apple Macs, a Samsung television, a watch, a printer and an audio recorder with a combined value of £2,000.
Prosecutor Tyrone SIlcott said: "The basic facts of the case are that the defendants hatched a plan to obtain money from Mr Windsor.
"Mr Murray went to Mr Windor's house, with another man we have not been able to find, and pretended to be a court bailiff. He basically said 'give us your stuff'."
Mr Silcott said: "They both stated to Mr Windsor and Ms Shamratova – a friend who was at the house – that they were High Court bailiffs acting for the Royal Courts of Justice.
"They showed some form of ID to him which included a badge and an iPad which bore the Royal Courts of Justice Crest and details of Ms Smirnova's court settlement."
"The following day someone called Mr Windsor from a withheld number demanding to know when he would be able to pay the remainder of the money owing to Ms Smirnova.
"That number was traced to Mr Murray.
"Mr Windsor was suspicious of the males as they did not give him any receipt for the items they took and had threatened him while in the address saying he would be deported if he did not pay them."
In his police interview, Murray denied he had pretended to be a bailiff and said he went to the house to buy a TV.
Smirnova – who starred in reality TV show 'Meet the Russians' – is the great niece of Pierre Smirnoff and the daughter of gymnastics champion Elena Kolesnikova.
She denies conspiracy to commit fraud while Murray, of Warlingham, Surrey, denies conspiracy to commit fraud, burglary and fraud.
The trial continues.
Source: Read Full Article