'˜Â£250k credit card spending spree' former model facing trial

A woman is to go on trial accused of stealing thousands of pounds from a viscount and his former model wife '“ who was once the face of top French fashion house Chanel.
Candida Bond, Lady Petersham, is part owner of CMG events. Picture: TSPLCandida Bond, Lady Petersham, is part owner of CMG events. Picture: TSPL
Candida Bond, Lady Petersham, is part owner of CMG events. Picture: TSPL

Naomi Tamzin Barrett is alleged to have gone on a £25,000 spending spree across the North-east of Scotland using a credit card provided by her employer – CMG Events.

The company is owned and run by Viscount Petersham, William Stanhope, and his wife Candida Bond, a former fashion model and sculptress.

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Prosecutors claim that Barrett carried out the offence while employed as a personal assistant to the viscount, whose father is the 12th Earl of Harrington and whose sister is married to a nephew of the Queen.

The 53-year-old appeared at Peterhead Sheriff Court yesterday where she denied using a company credit card to obtain “personal money, goods and services” from companies across Aberdeenshire.

Barrett is accused of using the card at Aberdeenshire Fireplaces in Mintlaw, Bliss Florist in Turriff, Meadowland Gallery and the Eastside Discount Centre in Banff and Aberdeen Airport.

She is also alleged to have embezzled money at locations in Mintlaw, Turriff, Banff and Fraserburgh. The offences are said to have taken place between January 2015 and April this year.

Barrett, whose address was given as Branscombe, Devon, is to go on trial early next year.

CMG Events is based at Crimonmogate Estate in Aberdeenshire. The category A-listed home, near Fraserburgh, was bought by the Lady Petersham, the ex-Chanel Allure perfume model, and the viscount shortly after they married in 2001.

The mansion house and stunning surrounding acres of woodland and meadows are used as a wedding venue and for various other functions such as garden parties, as well as being the couple’s home.

A statement on the firm’s website reads: “Part of what makes an event at Crimonmogate so unique is the feeling of being part of a ‘country house party’ hosted by the owners.”