Tom Cotterill reports on a dramatic legal struggle unfolding in London.
The former wife of a wealthy businessman is now pushing to have him and his mother thrown in jail.
This comes after she claimed they haven’t paid her the nearly £750,000 she is owed from their divorce settlement.
Richard Rothschild, 49, and Charmaine De Souza, 50, have been entangled in a fierce court battle since their 21-year relationship ended in 2016. Their legal skirmishes began in 2018 when Rothschild moved his new girlfriend, Playboy model Sherra Michelle, into their luxurious £2.3 million Miami condo.
By 2019, a High Court judge had split their assets, awarding De Souza £1.73 million and leaving Rothschild with £634,000. Rothschild claimed this left him financially strained and forced him to move in with his mother, Wanda Radziszewska.
Legal Troubles Escalate
This week, Rothschild and his mother faced a contempt of court application for allegedly obstructing the sale of a west London apartment, which had been ordered to be sold.
De Souza claims she is still owed nearly £750,000 and is burdened with severe debts. Despite previous court orders requiring the property to be vacated and sold, Radziszewska has yet to leave.
Financial Strain and Legal Consequences
Charles Hale KC, representing De Souza, argued that Rothschild and Radziszewska’s actions are not only obstructing justice but also causing De Souza significant financial distress.
Hale emphasized that the ongoing legal battles and financial strain have been overwhelming for De Souza, who juggles running a business and raising two children.
He criticized Rothschild and Radziszewska for failing to meet their obligations and urged the court to enforce immediate prison sentences if they do not comply.
Background of the Dispute
Rothschild and De Souza, who met as students and married in 2005, enjoyed a lavish lifestyle with a Lamborghini and a multimillion-dollar condo. After their separation in 2016, Rothschild’s move to live with his new partner in their former home sparked further legal battles.
Despite Rothschild’s claims, the court had ruled that the Miami property should be split equally.
By December 2019, Judge Cohen had divided their wealth, giving De Souza the mobile phone business and additional properties, while Rothschild received the Miami apartment, which he argued was worth much less than the valuation.
Ongoing Legal and Financial Struggles
Rothschild’s challenge to the divorce ruling at the Court of Appeal in 2020 was unsuccessful.
His appeal highlighted significant debts, including around £300,000 in legal fees, which he argued unfairly skewed the settlement.
Despite these claims, the court’s decision left De Souza with a significant portion of the assets, while Rothschild was left with a minimal sum.
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