Churchill Photograph Thief Receives Two-Year Prison Sentence

Jeffrey Wood stole a renowned image of Winston Churchill and has been given a nearly two-year prison sentence for his actions.

A Canadian man, Jeffrey Wood, has been sentenced to nearly two years in prison for the theft of one of the most iconic photographs of Sir Winston Churchill, titled "The Roaring Lion." Wood, who pleaded guilty, took the original print from Ottawa's Château Laurier hotel during the holiday season of 2021, between Christmas and early January 2022. Alongside theft, he also admitted to committing forgery.

This notable image of Britain's war-time leader, captured by photographer Yousuf Karsh in 1941, is prominently featured on the UK £5 note. Authorities reported that the stolen photograph was traced to Genoa, Italy, last year, where it was held by a private buyer who was unaware of its stolen status. The photo captures a scowling Churchill, age 67, shortly after delivering a speech to the Canadian Parliament, and it wasn't until August 2022 that hotel staff discovered the original print had been swapped for a counterfeit.

Canadian media outlets reported that Wood claimed he stole the photograph to cover medical expenses for his brother, who was struggling with mental health issues. During the sentencing hearing, Justice Robert Wadden remarked on the cultural significance of the photograph, emphasizing the trust violated in the theft of such a valuable piece of national heritage. He stated, "It is a point of national pride that a portrait taken by a Canadian photographer would have achieved such fame." Geneviève Dumas, the Château Laurier hotel’s general manager, expressed her satisfaction that Canadian history had been recognized through this case.

Wood was sentenced to "two years less a day," allowing him to serve his time in a provincial institution rather than a federal penitentiary. Wood's legal representative described the sentence as "unnecessarily harsh," especially considering that it was his first offense.