Botham robbed of £70,000 gems

Last updated at 16:15 05 August 2004


Thieves have stolen jewellery worth £70,000 from the luxury home of cricket legend Ian Botham, it was reported today.

The valuables were taken during a party at his £750,000 mansion in the village of Ravensworth, North Yorkshire, according to reports.

North Yorkshire Police confirmed officers were investigating a "high-value" theft between July 23 and July 24 from a property in Ravensworth but declined to comment on whether it was from the

home of the England hero.

Two people were arrested earlier this week over the theft but were released on bail pending further inquiries, a spokesman said.

Reports claim Mr Botham's wife Kathy discovered the gems were missing after guests had left a party they had hosted at their property.

Botham, 49, is widely considered to be one of the greatest all-rounders ever to grace the game. In 102 tests for his country, he scored 5,200 and took 383 wickets.

In recent years he has taken part in a series of marathon walks for charity and in 1999 completed a gruelling 874-mile trek from John O'Groats to Land's End for the Leukaemia Research Fund.

A spokesman at Mission Sports Management, who represent the star, said: "Mr Botham will not be commenting on the incident."

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