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Home of Diana's mother is raided
OBAN, Scotland -- The mother of Princess Diana has had her home burgled while in London attending a trial connected with her late daughter. Thieves stole Frances Shand Kydd's jewellery collection from her remote Scottish home while she was giving evidence, on Thursday, at the Old Bailey in the trial of Diana's former butler Paul Burrell. Burrell, 44, denies stealing more than 300 items from the princess, Prince William and Prince Charles. (Trial latest) Shand Kydd's appearance at the court was widely previewed and it was feared thieves had targeted her home on the Isle of Seil, near Oban, Argyll, knowing it would be empty. In a statement, the 66-year-old said all her jewellery had been stolen but nothing relating to Diana was taken. She told the Press Association: "While I was away giving evidence my house was burgled and all my jewellery taken. Everything. "The house is a tip. The wires of the phone were cut, and the security system." Shand Kydd said she did not know how many items were stolen or their value, but she regarded them as priceless. She said: "It included items of value and, more importantly, sentimental value, pieces which belonged to my grandparents and a ring given to me by my father." She added: "They went through the entire house. Nothing pertaining to Diana was taken. "They were professionals looking for jewellery, which they took." She had left her home earlier this week to travel to London for her appearance in the witness box.
Her housekeeper discovered the break-in on Thursday. Police believe the thieves struck on Wednesday night. A spokeswoman for Strathclyde Police told CNN: "We can confirm that we are investigating a break-in at a house at Clachan Seil, in Oban, and items of jewellery have been reported stolen." The trial was a rare public appearance for the frail divorcee, who was in the witness box for almost two hours. Shand Kydd, who was divorced from Diana's father, the eighth Earl Spencer, told the trial that during the last four months of Diana's life they did not speak. She said she had sent letters to the princess and that they had been returned unopened with messages to that effect in Diana's handwriting. Shand Kydd said Burrell had misinterpreted the description of himself as the Princess's "rock." "I think that is a slight misinterpretation by Mr. Burrell when he said she called him my rock. It is a term which she used for many people. "She called me her rock and star." Asked whether Burrell had ever informed her he was retaining some property, she replied: "Never." The trial continues.
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