Antiques dealer accused of handling stolen items
AN ANTIQUES dealer is due to stand trial accused of receiving and selling on stolen items including paintings, watches, and gold boxes worth thousands of pounds.
Vincent Clegg, 53, from London, denies 14 counts of fraud and handling goods stolen in burglaries, such as miniature portraits. He is on trial at Newport Crown Court.
Addressing the jury, Judge Daniel Williams said: “This case involves three burglaries and thereafter the items being sold to businesses and individuals.”
The defendant is accused of handling stolen goods, including antique jewellery, portrait paintings and gold boxes.
He is charged with receiving the items that were stolen in burglaries and then dishonestly claiming he was the lawful owner with the right to sell them.
Prosecutors allege he dishonestly sold stolen antiques to well-known auction houses including Bonhams Auctioneers.
Other auction houses involved include Fellows Auctioneers, as well as Woolley and Wallis.
John Ryan, prosecuting, said the charges relate to the period between 2005-16.
One of the stolen items allegedly received and sold on by the defendant was a miniature portrait of Joseph Yorke, Lord Dover, worth £2,000.
The court heard one of the burglaries involved a private collection of antiques from Cyncoed in Cardiff.
Judge Williams told the jury: “The proceeds of those burglaries ended up in the hands of the defendant.
“You will be asked to consider whether the defendant is guilty or not guilty.”
The prosecutor said witnesses including antique specialists from Cardiff, Gloucestershire and London will be called to give evidence.
Clegg, from Heath Drive in Romford, London, denies 11 counts of fraud and three of handling stolen goods. He is represented by Ryan Thompson.
The case will be heard by a jury of six men and six women and is expected to last for about a week.