Canadian man jailed for stealing iconic Churchill portrait

A Canadian man, Jeffrey Wood, has been sentenced to nearly two years in prison after admitting to the theft of a historic photograph of Sir Winston Churchill from Ottawa’s Château Laurier hotel.

The stolen image—famously known as The Roaring Lion—was an original print taken by renowned photographer Yousuf Karsh in 1941, capturing Churchill's stern expression moments after addressing the Canadian parliament. The portrait is so iconic it appears on the UK’s £5 banknote.

Wood pleaded guilty to both the theft and related forgery charges, acknowledging that he swapped the genuine photograph with a replica between December 2021 and early January 2022. It wasn't until August 2022 that hotel staff discovered the original had been replaced with a counterfeit.

In a surprising turn, the stolen artwork resurfaced in Genoa, Italy, where it was located in the hands of a private collector unaware of its illicit origins. Ottawa Police collaborated with international authorities to recover the piece.

During sentencing, Justice Robert Wadden stressed the cultural significance of the photo. “This image represents more than art—it is a symbol of national pride. When someone undermines the public trust by stealing something so meaningful, it affects all Canadians,” he said.

Wood reportedly committed the crime in an attempt to support his brother, who was struggling with mental health challenges, according to Canadian media reports.

Despite being a first-time offender, Wood received a sentence of “two years less a day,” which under Canadian law means he will serve time in a provincial rather than a federal facility. His lawyer criticized the sentence as overly severe.

Geneviève Dumas, general manager of the Château Laurier, welcomed the outcome and emphasized the portrait’s importance to Canadian heritage. “We’re proud to see justice served and history honoured,” she told the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.