Chelsea chief beaten with crowbars

The millionaire vice-president of Chelsea football club and his teenage daughter were attacked during a terrifying raid on their home.

Joe Hemani was beaten with crowbars and his 13-year-old daughter, Francesca, was thrown to the ground when a balaclava-clad gang burst into the family's £3million riverside home in Wargrave, Berkshire.

The robbers stole jewellery before demanding to know where the family safe was kept. When Mr Hemani refused to answer their questions, they snatched more gold jewellery and rings from his terrified wife, Kathleen, a court heard yesterday.

A 41-year-old man has admitted carrying out the raid.

Terence Rielly, who appeared before Reading Crown Court, yesterday was the only gang member who was caught by police.

He initially denied a charge of aggravated burglary but yesterday, when the prosecution dropped that charge, he admitted an alternative charge of burglary.

Dressed smartly in a dark suit and tie, the defendant spoke only to confirm his name and answer "guilty" to one charge of burglary at Field House, Wargrave, on 2 September, 2002.

Paul Mitchell, prosecuting, said: "There can be no doubt that an aggravated burglary took place at Field House on this date, and that the burglary was committed by a group of men acting together.

"The problem for the prosecution is that while we can prove that Terence Rielly was there and that he was part of the group who committed the burglary, there is no evidence to prove two things - firstly, that he went into the house, and secondly that he was ever carrying a weapon.

"He accepts being there as a member of the group, and being outside.

"No other group members have been arrested and they were not identifiable because they were wearing balaclavas."

Judge Stanley Spence adjourned the sentencing of Rielly until 6 February for presentence reports to be prepared-Rielly, of Fulham, admitted-one charge of burglary and one charge of perverting the course of justice, relating to giving a false name after he was convicted of drink driving in 1998.

Mr Hemani has been a vicepresident of Chelsea FC for 19 years and a supporter of the club since 1968.

Neighbours praised him for his bravery. Speaking after the raid, a woman who lives two doors away from the Hemanis' home said: "Poor Joe and Kathy. I can't believe what happened. It's absolutely dreadful.

"I have heard Joe would not tell them where the safe was and that does not surprise me at all. He is a lovely man but also very tough and courageous when he needs to be."