A Canadian man, Jeffrey Wood, has been sentenced to nearly two years in prison after pleading guilty to stealing an iconic photograph of Sir Winston Churchill, famously known as "The Roaring Lion." The theft occurred from the Château Laurier hotel in Ottawa between Christmas 2021 and early January 2022, and included a forgery charge.
The photograph, captured by renowned photographer Yousuf Karsh in 1941, features a stern-looking Churchill shortly after delivering a speech in front of the Canadian parliament. It is considered one of the 20th century's pivotal images and even appears on the UK £5 note. The artwork was recovered in Genoa, Italy, in possession of an unsuspecting private buyer last year.
The theft came to light only in August 2022 when a hotel staff member noticed a fake had replaced the original. Reports revealed that Wood had taken the photo in an attempt to gather funds for his brother, who was struggling with mental health issues.
During sentencing, Justice Robert Wadden highlighted the theft's impact on Canadian cultural heritage, emphasizing the significance of displaying national treasures for public enjoyment. Geneviève Dumas, general manager of the Château Laurier hotel, expressed relief that Canadian history had been officially acknowledged.
Wood received a sentence of "two years less a day," allowing him to serve time in a provincial facility rather than federal prison. His lawyer contended that the sentence was overly severe for a first-time offender.
