Two-year prison sentence for unnoticed theft of Churchill photo

A Canadian man, Jeffey Wood, has been sentenced to two years in prison for stealing a famous photograph of Winston Churchill. The 44-year-old replaced the original portrait with a copy, leaving the theft unnoticed for months.

The case involved the iconic portrait Roaring Lion, taken by photographer Yousuf Karsh in 1941. The photo, which depicts Churchill with a stern expression, was displayed in Ottawa's Château Laurier hotel, where Karsh once lived. It was also featured on the British £5 note.

Wood committed the theft during the 2021/2022 Christmas holidays, taking advantage of reduced hotel activity due to the pandemic. The crime was only discovered in August, making it difficult to trace. Security footage had already been erased, prompting police to ask hotel guests for images of the portrait to determine when the copy was hung.

Investigators later found that Wood had auctioned the stolen print in London. Although the buyer acted in good faith, he chose to return it to Canada. DNA evidence and a second print found in Wood's storage confirmed his guilt. Wood confessed, claiming he stole the photo to help his homeless brother, but the money never reached him—his brother died on the day of the auction.

Wood apologized to Karsh's widow, the hotel, and the police, expressing deep remorse. The judge criticized his reckless handling of national heritage but imposed a reduced sentence of two years minus one day.