A MAN stole more than £803,000 of jewels from millionaires including celebrity Petra Ecclestone, the daughter of billionaire F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone, while posing as a wealthy housebuyer.
William Flynn, 36, targeted homes across Southend and London, taking diamonds, jewellery and designer watches in what a judge described as “skillful and well planned” operation.
He was sentenced to eight years in jail when he appeared at Basildon Crown Court this afternoon.
Petra Ecclestone
In August, the 24-year-old F1 heiress put her home in London's Belgravia on the market for £23million - but was stunned to discover the disappearance of diamond earrings and a diamond Rolex watch following a viewing.
Flynn told the vendor he was a Kazakh-millionaire.
Bernie Ecclestone
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