Jeffrey Wood has been sentenced to almost two years in prison after pleading guilty to stealing a famous photograph of Winston Churchill, known as 'The Roaring Lion'. The photo, taken by Canadian photographer Yousuf Karsh in 1941, was stolen from Ottawa's Chateau Laurier hotel during the holiday season of 2021-2022. Wood claimed he needed money for his brother's mental health issues. The image was later found in Italy, and the presiding judge noted the theft damaged the public's trust in the display of national heritage.
According to Canadian media, Wood said he took the photo to find money for his brother, who was suffering from mental health problems.
Justice Robert Wadden noted, "It is a point of national pride that a portrait taken by a Canadian photographer would have achieved such fame".
Wood was sentenced to 'two years less a day', allowing him to serve his time in a provincial institution instead of federal prison.
Genevieve Dumas, the general manager of the Chateau Laurier hotel, expressed satisfaction, saying 'We're very happy to see that Canadian history is recognised'.
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