Prince Charles’ ex-harpist escapes jail term

LONDON - Prince Charles’s former harpist has spared a jail sentence when she was given a 12-month community order on Tuesday for handling stolen goods and attempted fraud.

Jemima Phillips, 28, who admitted she was addicted to heroin and crack cocaine when she played at Charles and Camilla’s wedding and other royal engagements, was also ordered to undergo supervision and six months drug rehabilitation, the Daily Express reports.

Her ex-boyfriend, William Davies, 41, a career criminal with 63 previous convictions, was jailed for four and a half years for committing four burglaries in the Forest of Dean area of Gloucestershire in a week-long spree in May this year to get money for drugs.

Earlier this month, Phillips, who stored some of the goods stolen, was cleared of taking part in the burglaries but was convicted of handling items found in her Ford Galaxy car when police stopped the pair in Gloucester.

Phillips, a Royal College of Music graduate, spent four years as the heir to the throne’s harpist before leaving in 2007.

She performed for the Queen and 2012 Olympics chiefs at a Buckingham Palace reception and also played at the wedding of Princess Anne’s son Peter Phillips and Autumn Kelly.

She admitted to one count of attempted fraud, by trying to use a building society book stolen by Davies to withdraw 500 pounds. (ANI)