A Canadian man, Jeffrey Wood, has been sentenced to nearly two years in prison following his guilty plea for stealing the renowned photograph of Sir Winston Churchill dubbed "The Roaring Lion." The theft occurred between Christmas 2021 and early January 2022 from Ottawa's Château Laurier hotel. The iconic photograph, captured by Yousuf Karsh in 1941, depicts Churchill shortly after addressing the Canadian parliament and even features on the UK £5 note.
Ottawa Police reported that the stolen image was located in Genoa, Italy, in the possession of an unsuspecting private buyer. It was not until August 2022 that hotel staff discovered a counterfeit replacing the original, prompting an investigation. Wood claimed that his motive for stealing the photograph was to raise funds for his brother, who was struggling with mental health issues.
During the sentencing, Justice Robert Wadden emphasized the importance of maintaining public trust regarding national treasures like Churchill's portrait. "To steal, damage, and traffic in such property is to breach that trust," he stated. Geneviève Dumas, the general manager of the Château Laurier hotel, expressed relief that Canadian heritage is being acknowledged through the judicial process.
Wood's sentence was set to "two years less a day," allowing him to serve time in a provincial facility rather than a federal prison. His attorney argued that the punishment was excessively harsh for a first-time offender. The case serves as a reminder of the significance of protecting cultural and historical artifacts for the collective appreciation of society.
Ottawa Police reported that the stolen image was located in Genoa, Italy, in the possession of an unsuspecting private buyer. It was not until August 2022 that hotel staff discovered a counterfeit replacing the original, prompting an investigation. Wood claimed that his motive for stealing the photograph was to raise funds for his brother, who was struggling with mental health issues.
During the sentencing, Justice Robert Wadden emphasized the importance of maintaining public trust regarding national treasures like Churchill's portrait. "To steal, damage, and traffic in such property is to breach that trust," he stated. Geneviève Dumas, the general manager of the Château Laurier hotel, expressed relief that Canadian heritage is being acknowledged through the judicial process.
Wood's sentence was set to "two years less a day," allowing him to serve time in a provincial facility rather than a federal prison. His attorney argued that the punishment was excessively harsh for a first-time offender. The case serves as a reminder of the significance of protecting cultural and historical artifacts for the collective appreciation of society.
