Police at Paradis

Press, 28 January 1988, Page 5

Police at Paradis

NZPASydney The police were called to Sir Francis Renouf’s Sydney harbourside mansion, Paradis sur Mer, after fears of a confrontation between rival sets of security guards hired by Sir Francis and his estranged wife, Lady Renouf. Sergeant Bob Milne, from nearby Rose Bay police station, said yesterday that two policemen went to the Point Piper property on Monday — the eve of the Australia Day celebrations — after he received a telephone call. “The officers only went there to ensure that there was no breach of the peace,” he told NZPA.

“As there was no breach of the peace, no action was taken and I told the officers to leave.”

Sergeant Milne said he did not know who made the telephone call. “I’m not sure. I believe it may have been solicitors for one of the parties, but who, I don’t know.” Sir Francis and Lady Renouf are fighting a legal battle over the property, which he bought two years ago from her second husband, the British racehorse owner, Mr Robert Sangster, for sAustB million. Witnesses said Sir Francis had placed security guards around the property to prevent Lady Re-

nouf’s friends or legal representatives from entering.

She hit back by hiring her own guards to prevent his visitors from getting in. However, despite the public wrangling, Sir Francis and Lady Renouf were spotted together in the gardens of Paradis sur Mer as they watched the Australia Day celebrations. Lady Renouf, wearing a black dress and large sun hat, sat barefoot on a sandstone balustrade at the water’s edge. Sir Francis, dressed in his tennis whites, stood beside her and at one stage patted her hat with his tennis racquet.