Tamara Ecclestone expressed frustration and disappointment upon learning that a member of the burglary gang responsible for the £26 million raid on her home in 2019 had been released from prison after serving only two years of an eight-year sentence.

Alessandro Donati, 46, was sentenced to eight years, while his two accomplices, Alessandro Maltese and Jugoslav Jovanovic, were sentenced to 11 years of prison in November 2021. However, Donati was released from prison shortly before Christmas last year. Maltese is also expected to be released soon. 

Donati was captured in Italy in October 2020 and then extradited to the UK the following month. He remained in custody until his trial in November 2021. With time served in pre-trial detention factored in, Donati’s earliest release date was originally March 2026. However, this was ultimately revised to February 2025.

As a foreign prisoner, Donati was eligible for deportation 12-18 months before his projected release date. According to MailOnline, he opted for this route and has returned to Italy. However, he no longer faces any restrictions within the Italian legal system.

“We would like to say that we are disappointed that these individuals have been given their freedom so soon after the burglary occurred,” said the millionaire heiress in a joint statement with her husband, Jay Rutland.

“We would also like to reiterate that there is a reward for anyone that gives any information that leads to the successful recovery of any of the stolen watches and jewellery.”

Shortly after his return to Italy, local police searched his residence for any portion of the stolen goods but only found £120 in British currency, reportedly provided to Donati for his flight expenses. 

None of the £26 million heist proceeds have been recovered to date. Authorities in Scotland Yard suspect the loot was transported and laundered in Serbia.

Angelo Pariani, Donati’s lawyer, confirmed his client’s release. While acknowledging Donati’s involvement in the burglaries, Pariani denied his client taking anything from the £26 million haul.

Apart from Ecclestone’s mansion, Donati and his gang confessed to planning and executing three separate burglaries across West London over two weeks in December 2019. Their targets included the residences of former Chelsea footballer Frank Lampard and the late Leicester City owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha.

Avoiding loss with enhanced security

Even after four years, the brazen burglary of Tamara Ecclestone’s mansion serves as a chilling reminder for affluent individuals to fortify their security measures. 

The burglary left lasting scars, financially and emotionally, as Ecclestone vividly expressed in her victim impact statement. Among the stolen items were sentimental wedding gifts and heirlooms, with some of the items having been intended to be passed on to her daughter. She admitted to obsessively focusing on security measures nowadays, installing gates, barbed wire, and spikes.

As a high-net-worth individual (HNWI) or ultra-high-net-worth individual (UHNWI), you have to prioritise your home’s security. 

Security is only as strong as its weakest link. Therefore, it is advisable to fortify vulnerable points like doors and windows with robust locks and shatterproof glass. 

Next, blanket the property with alarms and motion sensor cameras to cover all vulnerable areas. Opt for a professionally monitored system with remote notifications. 

Lastly, solidify the perimeter with high fences, controlled access points, and deterrents like security lighting, sprinklers, and gravel paths. 

Moreover, you can deploy security guards to patrol the area. Other than adding another layer of protection, these personnel can regularly assess security components in your residence to ensure no weak points. You can hire the help of security firms like Marengo to find the right personnel and security tools for your home.

By creating a layered security net, you can significantly impede and discourage even the most meticulous burglars.