Criminal Convicted for £2.2m Fabergé Theft in London Pub

Enzo Conticello, 29, was sentenced to more than two years in prison for stealing a handbag that contained a Fabergé egg and watch set worth up to £2.2 million from a pub in central London. The theft occurred on November 7, 2024, when he took Rosie Dawson’s bag while she stood outside the Dog and Duck in Soho. The items were in the handbag after Dawson had brought them to a work event earlier that evening, and they have not been recovered since.

Case Details

Conticello, also known as Hakin Boudjenoune, admitted guilt to three fraud charges and one theft count at a prior hearing. The court learned he targeted the bag for “easy money” and used it to purchase drugs. His connection to the crime emerged when he attempted to spend Dawson’s bank cards at a nearby shop within minutes of the theft.

“On the night in question, it was a moment of opportunity which he took, and he is genuinely remorseful for his behaviour,” said Katie Porter-Windley, Conticello’s barrister.

Background of the Thief

Conticello previously worked as a chef but lost his job during the pandemic, leading to a cocaine addiction. His legal team argued he was unaware of the items’ true value, noting that the egg and watch set were “so extraordinary” that he might not have recognized their worth at first glance. Porter-Windley added that the stolen items included a laptop and credit cards, further complicating the theft.

“He thought nothing of helping himself to someone else’s possessions, and he now faces a prison sentence as a result of his greed,” stated Det Con Arben Morina, who leads the investigation.

Value of the Stolen Items

Fabergé, a renowned Russian jewelry brand founded in 1842, is famed for its gem-encrusted eggs. Prosecutor Julian Winship highlighted that only seven such sets exist in total, each featuring a jewelled egg, watch, whisky bottle, cigars, and humidor. Despite insurers covering £106,700 for the loss, the theft caused significant distress to Dawson and her company, as she described the “shock and panic” of realizing the bag’s contents had been taken.

Southwark Crown Court emphasized the “opportunistic” nature of the crime, noting the inconvenience and stress it imposed on Dawson. The judge remarked that the stolen Fabergé egg was “quite extraordinary looking,” underscoring its unique value. Police continue to search for the items, which remain unaccounted for.

Det Con Morina concluded the case, stressing that Conticello’s actions led to a two-year-and-three-month sentence. The incident has also drawn attention to the rare nature of Fabergé’s collections, with the prosecutor highlighting their exclusivity. Updates on the case can be found via BBC Radio London on Sounds, and follow BBC London on Facebook, X, and Instagram for more.