By Joshua Tosin Ogunsakin 
A North London court has heard that former footballer Edgar Davids was allegedly robbed of £188,000 by his ex-girlfriend, Nabila Habibi.
The Dutch legend, 52, allowed friend Nabila Habiby to stay at his Hadley Wood mansion in 2014, The Sun reports.
Davids believed that Habiby was looking after his possessions while he moved into a new Central London flat in December of that year.
But a court has now heard that Habiby, 38, stole 37 pieces of art across the following two years before taking them to pawn brokers, with Davids believing that they were being stored at a unit in Enfield.
Habiby is said to have presented Davids’ art collection to pawn brokers in order to secure a total of £31,500 in loans.
The Dutchman did not become aware of his pieces being missing until he was alerted that they had gone to auction three years later.
It’s said that Davids realised that his collection was missing when messaged on Instagram by a Hong Kong-based buyer of one of his Paul Insect paintings, which had been personalised for the former footballer by the British artist.
Bewildered, Davids contacted the Metropolitan Police.
Appearing at Wood Green Crown Court, Habiby pleaded guilty to two counts of fraud, the first committed in 2014 and the second in 2016.
It was determined that three further counts of theft would lie on file.
Her sentencing was adjourned until November.
Habiby was warned by Judge Alexander Jacobs that she could see jail time.
He said: “There was an abuse of position, power, trust, and responsibility. You understand the fact I am giving you bail and adjourning for reports is not a promise not to sentence you to immediate custody.
“I will do my absolute best to avoid it if I can, but sometimes it is unavoidable.
Davids, who now lives in Dubai, was prepared to give evidence via video link.
But after Habiby pleaded guilty, this was no longer necessary.