Israeli ex- basketball star jailed for stealing handbags from Harrods

Further examination of CCTV showed they had also stolen a £2,800 Christian Dior handbag seven months earlier.

During the trial Herman, 46, from Tottenham north London, claimed to be a multi-millionaire, and told the Old Bailey he was so rich that he did not need to steal anything.

He insisted his criminal record was “as clean as a baby.”

Herman asked jurors to look at photos on his mobile phone which he said showed a suitcase containing four million Euros and a diamond he inherited from his father worth four million dollars.

He told the court: “I do not need any money. It's the money I worked for.”

Herman also told jurors he was born in Israel, and represented the national basketball team and was voted “best of season” by fellow players in 1994.

He said his fortune was down to a car park business he started from the age of 16, and two nightclubs he owned by the age of 20.

He said he also went on to set up a construction company employing 150 staff all over the world.

He said: “I built the most beautiful buildings in Tel Aviv.”