Israeli accused of stealing £30,000 worth of goods from Harrods

A former Israeli national basketball star is on trial in London accused of stealing over £30,000 worth of luxury goods from Harrods.

A jury at the Old Bailey heard how Dov Herman, 46, who represented Israel at the European Championships, posed as a wealthy customer together with Meital Pardo, 31, stealing handbags and clutch bags over several months.

The pair were arrested outside the upmarket Knightsbridge store after walking out with a pink Yves Saint Laurent bag worth almost £12,000. When police searched their hotel room, they found a £17,000 Prada bag taken the previous day. 

After reviewing in-store CCTV footage, Harrods staff later discovered that Herman and Pardo had taken a Christian Dior bag worth almost £3,000 seven months earlier, jurors heard.

“It was quite simply theft,” said Louis French, prosecuting. “They were working as a team. The aim in each case was to get the bag and get it out of the store without paying for it.”

Staff noticed Herman, of no fixed abode, because entered the store wearing a black hat and sunglasses, while Pardo wore a pink top and white trousers. Herman admits he was there on those days but denies theft. The trial continues.