Housekeeper admits stealing almost £200,000 of jewellery from room of Park Lane hotel

A housekeeper has admitted stealing nearly £200,000 worth of jewellery from a guest bedroom, while working at the London Hilton on Park Lane.

Southwark Crown Court heard that 23-year-old Sabrina Rova also took a credit card, which was used to buy goods at the nearby Footlocker store on Oxford Street.

Prosecutor Alex Matthews said the housekeeper was part of an "organised crime group" who stole jewellery worth £187,000 from a guest in July this year.

He said the starting point for any jail sentence should be three years.

Rova, who appeared in court via video-link from HMP Bronzefield, sobbed and said "I'm sorry" after she admitted two charges of burglary and one charge of fraud.

Judge Nicholas Rimmer told Rova: "I know you are upset. You are not going to be sentenced today so I'm going to ask you to try and calm yourself down and listen to what is going on.

"The criminality entails that whilst working as a trusted employee for the Hilton hotel you helped yourself to £187,000 worth of jewellery from a guest's bedroom.

"There is a real prospect that you will receive a custodial sentence."

Rova was remanded in custody ahead of sentence on 27 January 2023.