Jury out in ex-royal harpist case

Jemima Phillips knew nothing of the break-ins, the jury heard

A jury is considering its verdicts in the trial of a former royal harpist to Prince Charles accused of burgling houses while hooked on heroin.

Jemima Phillips, 28, of Ebbw Vale, Blaenau Gwent, now of St Briavels, Gloucestershire, denies being present at three house raids.

But she admitted one count of attempted fraud at Gloucester Crown Court.

Her ex-boyfriend William Davies, 41, of Cheltenham, denies four burglaries, but admits handling stolen property.

The jury retired on Monday morning, after judge Michael Harington finished summing up the evidence.

The court has heard how Ms Phillips was already in the grip of drugs when the prince appointed her as his harpist in 2004. She later played at his wedding to the Duchess of Cornwall.

Ms Phillips, who is a Royal College of Music graduate and a former BBC Young Musician of the Year, denies helping with the raids.

She said she only tried to use a stolen building society card when Mr Davies's associates threatened to tell the press about her addiction.

The case continues.