A Smirnoff vodka heiress and ex-Miss Russia who was accused of hiring a 'fake bailiff' to snatch possessions from her ex-boyfriend's luxury home has been cleared.
Marinika Smirnova, 35, dubbed the investigation a 'moronic joke' after the charges of burglary and fraud were cleared yesterday.
The case collapsed because her ex Sergei Windsor couldn't give evidence from the British Embassy in Moscow via video link and was due to be retried in March next year.
Ms Smirnova, who has previously been seen rubbing shoulders with stars including Johnny Depp and Jonathan Rhys Meyers, told the Sun: 'I cannot believe that the police believed this man. It has been a moronic joke and a farce.'
Robin Murray, 29, a friend who she had allegedly 'conspired with', was also cleared of stealing two Apple MacBooks, a television, a watch, a printer, and an audio recorder.
She had been accused of enlisting Mr Murray to swipe £2,000 ($2,564) worth of valuables from Mr Windsor's Chelsea home, Isleworth crown court heard.
The man she allegedly hired, was along with another man alleged to have entered Mr Windsor’s home on May 31, 2016 with documents stating he was a High Court bailiff.
They had an iPad which bore the Royal Courts of Justice crest and showed details of Ms Smirnova’s court settlement, it was said.
The court was told that former lawyer Mr Windsor owed Ms Smirnova £87,000 ($111,000).
Multi-millionaire Ms Smirnova, said: 'Why would I want some laptops or a TV? This would be nothing compared to what he owes me.'
The Russian socialite is the daughter of Elena Kolesnikova, a Soviet gymnast champion, and the great niece of Pierre Smirnoff - one of the famous Smirnoff brothers who were official suppliers of Smirnoff Vodka to the Court of Emperor Nicholas II.
She also appeared on reality TV show ‘Meet the Russians’ which aired in 2013, documenting the lives of wealthy Russians in London.
This article has been adapted from its original source.
