A woman has been accused of stealing thousands of pounds from a viscount and the former face of Chanel.
Naomi Tamzin Barrett is alleged to have gone on a £25,000 spending spree across the north-east using a credit card provided by her employer – CMG Events.
The company is run by Viscount Petersham, William Stanhope, and his ex-model wife Candida Bond.
She is alleged to have used the credit card to withdraw money from cash machines and buy goods and services from companies across Aberdeenshire.
She is accused of using it at Aberdeenshire Fireplaces in Mintlaw, Bliss Florist in Turriff, Meadowland Gallery and the Eastside Discount Centre – better known as the Spotty Bag Shop – in Banff and Aberdeen International Airport.
Barrett is also alleged to have embezzled money at The Square in Mintlaw, Turriff’s Main Street, Banff’s Low Street and Fraserburgh’s Broad Street.
The offences are alleged to have been committed between January last year and April.
The 52-year-old, whose address was given in court papers as 3 Tithe Barn, Branscombe, Devon, did not appear at Peterhead Sheriff Court yesterday when her case was called because she is ill.
Her agent, local solicitor Stewart Flowerdew, said he had been unable to take instructions from his client.
The lawyer said: “She underwent an operation which has made it very difficult for us to obtain instructions.
“I could get information from her doctors regarding a prognosis in two weeks.”
Barrett’s case was continued without plea until August 3, when she is expected to make a personal appearance in court.
CMG Events opens up the A-listed Stanhope family home – Crimonmogate at Lonmay, near Fraserburgh – as a location for weddings, garden parties and corporate events.
A statement on the firm’s website reads: “This exclusive country house stands within beautiful and seasonally-changing parkland and offers one of Aberdeenshire’s most outstanding and unusual venues for corporate events, parties, dinners and weddings.”
Last night, CMG Events could not be reached for comment.
The Crimonmogate Estate once formed part of the lands of the High Constables of Scotland, and can be traced back to the 14th century.
Archibald Simpson designed the house prior to his death in 1820 for Patrick Milne, who also died before its completion.
Viscount Petersham purchased the property in 2001.
His sister Serena is married to Viscount Linley, David Armstrong-Jones, who is one of the Queen’s nephews.
And his wife Candida is a highly respected sculptress – although best known as a former Chanel model, having been discovered by the design house after featuring in an issue of Vogue with one of her works.
