OTTAWA, ON — In a dramatic case that shook Canada’s cultural and artistic community, Jeffrey Wood, 44, has been sentenced to two years less a day for the theft of the legendary “The Roaring Lion” photograph of Winston Churchill, taken by renowned Canadian photographer Yousuf Karsh.
The image — one of the most famous photographic portraits ever captured — was stolen from its home at Ottawa’s historic Fairmont Château Laurier in early 2022.
A Portrait Born from Defiance and History
The backstory of the portrait is almost as famous as the image itself. On December 30, 1941, shortly after delivering his wartime speech to the Canadian Parliament, Winston Churchill sat for what he believed would be a brief photographic session in the Speaker’s chamber. When Churchill stubbornly refused to set down his cigar, Karsh — known for his meticulous preparation — politely walked over and plucked the cigar from Churchill’s mouth, then stepped back and clicked the shutter.
The result was a defiant scowl captured in stunning detail — a moment that would come to symbolize the grit and resolve of Britain during World War II. The Economist later described it as “the most reproduced portrait in the history of photography.” The image now graces the Bank of England’s £5 note and is recognized worldwide as a definitive visual of wartime leadership.
Karsh lived and worked at the Château Laurier for decades and had gifted that very signed print of Churchill to the hotel as a parting gesture, with the condition that it remain on permanent public display — a promise that endured until its shocking disappearance.
The Theft and Sentence
Wood pleaded guilty to:
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Theft over $5,000 (Criminal Code, Section 334),
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Forgery (Section 367), and
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Possession of stolen property over $5,000 for the purpose of trafficking (Section 355.2).
While the maximum penalties for these offences range from 10 to 14 years, Justice Robert Wadden imposed a sentence just shy of federal prison time, citing Wood’s remorse, guilty plea, lack of prior record, and time spent under restrictive bail.
Wood, an art dealer, replaced the original photograph with a forged replica bearing a fake signature. The theft went unnoticed for months due to pandemic-related slowdowns. Wood then contacted Sotheby’s London and arranged for the stolen print to be auctioned, ultimately receiving approximately $4,500 CDN.
It wasn’t until a staff member noticed the crooked frame in August 2022 that suspicions were raised. A subsequent investigation led by Ottawa Police, aided by DNA evidence found on tape attached to the forgery, traced the theft back to Wood.
The stolen image was later recovered in Genoa, Italy, where it had been purchased in good faith by collector Nicola Cassinelli, who voluntarily returned it to Canada. Unfortunately, the photograph suffered irreversible damage, including scratches and mold. Though it was later restored and reinstalled at the Château Laurier in November 2024, it no longer retains its original pristine condition.
“This Was Not Just a Theft. It Was a Cultural Violation.”
Justice Wadden noted that Karsh’s photograph transcended its material value.
“This image is a national heirloom — a symbol of resolve in the face of tyranny, a gift to the Canadian people, and a legacy of one of our greatest artists,” he said.
The judge also remarked that had Wood not expressed remorse or cooperated, a three-year penitentiary sentence would have been warranted. The planning involved in both the theft and the trafficking of the image elevated the seriousness of the offence.
Authorities also praised the exemplary police work and international collaboration that led to the recovery of the portrait, which remains an enduring symbol of Canada’s artistic and historical legacy.
📌 If you have information about crimes involving cultural or historical property, contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or online at www.tipshelp.com.
