Canadian photographer jailed for two years over stolen Churchill photo

A Canadian man has been handed a prison sentence of nearly two years for the theft of an iconic photograph of Sir Winston Churchill, famously known as "The Roaring Lion."

Jeffrey Wood admitted to stealing the original print from the Château Laurier hotel in Ottawa sometime between late December 2021 and early January 2022.

He also confessed to charges of forgery in connection with the incident.

A Canadian man has been sentenced to nearly two years in a provincial facility for stealing an iconic photograph of Sir Winston Churchill, known as "The Roaring Lion."

Taken by renowned Canadian photographer Yousuf Karsh in 1941, the portrait famously featured on the UK’s £5 (Sh875.19)  note was stolen from Ottawa’s Château Laurier hotel between late 2021 and early 2022.

The image, capturing a stern-faced Churchill following a speech to the Canadian Parliament, was only discovered missing in August 2022, when hotel staff noticed it had been swapped with a replica.

Ottawa police later tracked the original to Genoa, Italy, where it had ended up in the hands of a private buyer unaware it had been stolen.

Jeffrey Wood, who pleaded guilty to the theft and forgery, told authorities he committed the crime to help support his brother, who was battling mental health issues.

During sentencing, Justice Robert Wadden emphasized the cultural significance of the photograph, stating, "There is an element of trust in our society that allows such properties to be displayed, to be enjoyed by all Canadians. To steal, damage, and traffic in such property is to breach that trust."

The Château Laurier’s general manager, Geneviève Dumas, expressed relief at the recovery of the piece, noting its deep historical value to Canadians.

Meanwhile, Wood’s legal team criticized the sentence as excessive, arguing it was too severe for a first-time offender.