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Artist News Legal
Rita Ora gives evidence in trial of alleged burglar
By Andy Malt | Published on Thursday 23 June 2016
Rita Ora appeared in court yesterday to give evidence in the trial of a man accused of breaking into her home last November.
Harrow Crown Court heard that two men broke into Ora’s North London home while she and her sister Elena were asleep, stealing £200,000 worth of property. Her home was specifically targeted, say prosecutors. Eleana was awoken by a man searching her bedroom at around 5.50am.
Giving evidence from behind a curtain, Rita told Harrow Crown Court, reports the Mirror: “I went to sleep and was woken up by a scream. I was half asleep, then woke up and heard my sister running up the stairs. I opened the door … she just ran up the stairs then she jumped on my bed and started screaming”.
The singer made a panicked call to 999, which was played in court, in which she can be heard shouting threats to the burglars. Hearing it played back, she broke down in tears, saying afterwards, according the BBC: “That phone call freaked me out a bit – give me a moment”.
Charaf Elmoudden, standing trial for the crime, denies any involvement, saying that he was at home at the time. He was picked out of an identity parade by Elena in January, who said: “I wouldn’t forget that face ever”.
The case continues.