Billionaire's wife accused of 'keying' neighbour's £120,000 Bentley
A BILLIONAIRE’S wife appeared before magistrates yesterday accused of “keying” her neighbour’s £120,000 Bentley when it was parked behind her £21 million mansion.
Gautam Thapar accompanied Stephanie to court over criminal damage
Global businessman Gautam Thapar accompanied his wife Stephanie, 50, to court as she denied causing £4,000 in criminal damage to Michael Connor’s black Continental GT Coupe V8.
Mr Connor had left the car to the rear of their adjoining properties in Cadogan Place, Belgravia, one of London’s most exclusive addresses.
West London Magistrates’ Court, Hammersmith, was told the engineering and paper tycoon’s wife left “deep scratches” in the paintwork.
Tom Gill, prosecuting, said: “She exited her garage, walked to the rear of the Bentley and scratched it five or six times with an unknown small object.”
He said the car’s owner watched her carry out the attack and found the damage when he inspected the car immediately afterwards.
The court heard Mr Connor had parked his vehicle outside his house one evening in January, when he heard her horn sound as she tried to drive past it.
“Mr Connor saw her reversing into her garage and she then got out of her vehicle, exited the garage and placed some rubbish bags adjacent to the complainant’s vehicle.”
Mr Gill told the court that she went back into her garage briefly and attacked his car when she re-emerged.
He said Mr Connor called police, who ascertained that the damage had been done recently.
“The defendant was arrested and interviewed and completely denied the offence,” he added.