Antiques row heiress freed from jail

Heiress Ms Marion Russell (33) left court in a happy mood yesterday after a Belfast High Court judge told her she would not be…

Heiress Ms Marion Russell (33) left court in a happy mood yesterday after a Belfast High Court judge told her she would not be going back to jail.

"I'm very pleased," said the descendant of the Earl of Kilmorey, who lives in converted stables on the 800-acre estate outside Kilkeel, Co Down.

Mr Justice Girvan lifted an injunction which had led to her spending a week in Maghaberry Prison.

Her sister, Ms Debonair Horsman (35), and brother, Mr Philip Anley (26), had her committed to prison for contempt of court by refusing to reveal where she had hidden £250,000 worth of antiques she removed from their ancestral home, Mourne Park House, Kilkeel.

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The judge's ruling followed developments in court on Wednesday when Ms Russell's two siblings dropped their objection to her action to set aside an earlier court order giving each of them a one-third "pick" of family heirlooms valued at £750,000.

Ms Russell maintained that the items she removed were her legal one-third entitlement.

Barrister Mr Michael Lavery jnr, for Ms Horsman and Mr Anley, argued that Ms Russell should be ordered to deliver up the items she removed so that a successful auction could be held.

"It is preferable that all the items are auctioned together," said Mr Lavery.

Mr Justice Girvan said if the items still in Mourne Park House raised £500,000 at auction, then Ms Horsman and Mr Anley would each get £250,000. If the auction raised any more than £500,000, they would be entitled to the balance, "If they get less then you have a claim against Mrs Russell in monetary terms."