A British woman is facing an extraordinary legal battle in the United States after authorities accused her of taking part in a daring luxury wine theft. Natali Ray, a 56-year-old mother of three from Herne Bay in Kent, appeared in a Virginia courtroom this week wearing a prison jumpsuit rather than the disguise she allegedly used during the incident.

The case involves six bottles of rare Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, a Burgundy wine prized by collectors around the world. Moreover, the stolen bottles were valued at about $42,000, placing them far beyond ordinary table wine. If convicted, Ray could face up to 50 years in prison, a sentence that has shocked many who know she has no previous record.

According to investigators, Ray posed as an assistant to a wealthy Canadian buyer and asked to view the wine cellar at L’Auberge Provençale Inn & Restaurant. Staff agreed, as the request seemed reasonable. The restaurant’s owners later explained how proud they were of their collection and often welcomed guests who wished to see it.

However, security footage shows Ray and another person examining the cellar and asking pointed questions about the bottles. For example, they inquired about French and American wines, which staff now believe was a tactic to avoid suspicion. During the visit, the pair allegedly hid the valuable wine in a specially altered coat.

Police arrested Ray at the scene, though her companion fled. She reportedly told officers she had met the man on a cruise. Ray now faces several charges, including grand larceny and conspiracy, as her case moves forward in the US courts.