WHAT THE FU........?

Burglars at Old Bailey flat take jewellery

By Richard Edwards

DAILY TELEGRAPH online  23/04/2008

 

Burglars have raided the Sheriff of London's grace-and-favour flat within the Old Bailey, taking a £20,000 ring belonging to his wife.

Police are investigating the intrusion at the flat of Ian Luder, one of two men to hold the historic role of sheriff, looking after the judges and standing in for the Lord Mayor.

Various items of jewellery belonging to his wife, Lin, including the ring, were taken.

The flat, on the top floor of the Central Criminal Court in central London, was searched by police and taped off while staff were questioned.

It is unclear whether the couple were in the flat at the time of the raid.

A City of London police spokesman said: "We are investigating a burglary at a residential flat in EC4 during the weekend of April 4-5. Items of jewellery were stolen. It is within the Old Bailey complex."

Mr Luder is in line to become Lord Mayor in November.

In his role as sheriff he looks after judges - feeding them, giving speeches and standing in for the Lord Mayor when necessary.

He is well known at the Old Bailey for having a black cat called Big Ben which has free range at the court.

Visitors must be escorted everywhere by staff but the cat comes and goes as it pleases.

Mr Luder is also a tax partner at the chartered accountants, Grant Thornton.