Jeffrey Wood's theft of "The Roaring Lion" highlights the challenges of preserving national heritage.
Churchill Photograph Thief Receives Two-Year Jail Sentence
Churchill Photograph Thief Receives Two-Year Jail Sentence
A Canadian man sentenced for stealing an iconic Churchill photo from a hotel exhibits a national trust breach.
A Canadian man has been sentenced to nearly two years in prison after pleading guilty to stealing an iconic photograph of Sir Winston Churchill, known as "The Roaring Lion." Jeffrey Wood pilfered the original print from the Château Laurier hotel in Ottawa between Christmas 2021 and early January 2022. In addition to theft, he also admitted to forgery.
The renowned image of Britain's wartime prime minister, captured by photographer Yousuf Karsh in 1941, prominently features on the UK £5 note, symbolizing its widespread historical significance. Ottawa Police later located the stolen photograph in Genoa, Italy, in possession of a private buyer unaware of its dubious origins.
The moment captured in the photo depicts a stern-looking Churchill, aged 67, shortly after making a key speech to the Canadian parliament. Astonishingly, it wasn’t until August 2022 that hotel personnel noticed that the original print had been replaced with a forgery.
Canadian reports reveal that Wood’s decision to steal the photograph was financially motivated, as he sought funds to assist his brother, who was struggling with mental health issues. During the sentencing, Justice Robert Wadden emphasized the importance of the photo as a piece of national pride. "There is an element of trust in our society that allows such properties to be displayed, to be enjoyed by all Canadians," he stated, stressing that theft and damage to such artifacts represent a violation of that trust.
Geneviève Dumas, general manager of the Château Laurier hotel, expressed satisfaction that Canadian history received proper recognition through the legal proceedings. Wood was sentenced to "two years less a day," indicating that he will serve his term in a provincial facility instead of a federal prison. His defense attorney described the sentence as “unnecessarily harsh,” taking into account that Wood was a first-time offender.
