£10,000 stolen seascape found on man's wall

A £10,000 stolen painting has been returned to a Yorkshire gallery after police spotted it hanging on the wall of a convicted thief's terrace home.

The work of art was recovered by detectives who had called at Brian Thompson's two bedroom house in Hull to arrest him when he was wanted for bail offences over allegations he had assaulted his wife.

Police Constable David Jacketts and Detective Sergeant Darren Rose then found the valuable work – stolen from Hull Maritime Museum – hanging in his dining room.

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The 12in by 18in painting of a ship, called Schooners Ellen Crawford and Dwina, was by John Ward, the leading marine artist and ship portrait painter in Hull during the first half of the 19th century.

When it was taken from the museum wall last year, police feared it had been stolen to order and would never be found.

Doncaster Crown Court heard Thompson denied stealing the artwork and there was no evidence he was the museum thief.

It was believed the 48-year-old, who had 58 previous convictions for theft, acquired the painting for his art-loving wife.

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The seascape was found hanging – in its gold frame – on the chimney breast of his dining room wall surrounded by magazine cuttings and his wife's own art work.

Thompson, of Princes Avenue, off Greek Street, Hull, screwed two holes into the back of the frame to hang it, but without damaging the actual painting.

Thompson admitted possessing criminal property and was jailed for 18 months.

His wife was also cautioned for possessing criminal property.

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Judge Jacqueline Davies said: "Items like this are part of the heritage of the city of Hull, building on its reputation and art links with the maritime world.

"This was a serious offence," she said.

"It would be obvious to anyone looking at it that it was an item of some value – the frame is gilt and ornate.

"It has a plaque upon it describing its age and there are written documents on the back giving an indication to its age.

"It is valued in the region of 10,000, but it is not just monetary value – it is historic value."

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When the police recovered the painting, they did not take any fingerprints or carry out any forensic tests on it for fear of damaging it.

Judge Davies added: "The item in question is a work of art belonging to the Maritime Museum.

"Thankfully, the painting has been recovered, but it was a valuable item in your possession for a period of up to three months."

The court heard it was painted in 1843 – the same numbers as Pc Jacketts' identification code – which he described as "a strange coincidence".

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Councillor John Robinson, Hull Council's portfolio holder for culture, said: "All credit to the police. We were shocked when this painting was taken.

"We have carried out a security review for this and all our museums. As the judge said it is not just the monetary value but its historic value to the city.

"It is good to know officers are always on the lookout and on behalf of the city I would like to say thank you to them.

"We heard a while ago it was going to trial but I did not know it was hanging on his wall."

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Simon Green, assistant head of culture and lifestyle for Hull City Council, which runs the museum, said: "We are delighted that the painting was found and safely returned to its home in the Maritime Museum."

Mr Green revealed the painting had been screwed to the wall when it was taken.

"A theft from a public collection is a theft from everyone in the city," he said.

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