Jeffrey Wood, an Ontario man, was sentenced to two years less a day in jail on Monday for stealing 'The Roaring Lion,' an iconic portrait of Winston Churchill, from Ottawa’s Chateau Laurier hotel. Wood had pleaded guilty earlier this year to theft and forgery. The portrait, taken by Yousuf Karsh in 1941, was stolen between Christmas Day 2021 and January 6, 2022, and replaced with a fake. The theft was discovered months later in August. An international investigation led to the portrait's return after it was found to have been bought at an auction in London by an Italian man unaware it was stolen.
Man who stole Winston Churchill portrait sentenced to two years less a day in jail
Canada
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TL;DR: Key points with love ❤️Jeffrey Wood, an Ontario man, was sentenced to two years less a day in jail on Monday for stealing 'The Roaring Lion,' an iconic portrait of Winston Churchill, from Ottawa’s Chateau Laurier hotel. Wood had pleaded guilty earlier this year to theft and forgery. The portrait, taken by Yousuf Karsh in 1941, was stolen between Christmas Day 2021 and January 6, 2022, and replaced with a fake. The theft was discovered months later in August. An international investigation led to the portrait's return after it was found to have been bought at an auction in London by an Italian man unaware it was stolen.
- 1 1941: Renowned photographer Yousuf Karsh snaps the celebrated portrait of Winston Churchill.
- 2 Between Christmas Day 2021 and Jan. 6, 2022: The portrait was stolen from the Chateau Laurier hotel and replaced with a fake.
- 3 August (2022): The swap was discovered by a hotel worker.
- 4 Earlier this year (2025): Jeffrey Wood pleaded guilty to stealing the portrait and committing forgery.
- 5 Today (Monday, May 26, 2025): Jeffrey Wood was sentenced to two years less a day in jail.
- Jeffrey Wood sentenced to jail
- Recovery of the stolen portrait
What: Jeffrey Wood was sentenced to two years less a day in jail for stealing 'The Roaring Lion' portrait of Winston Churchill and committing forgery.
When: Sentencing today (Monday, May 26, 2025). Guilty plea earlier this year (2025). Theft between Christmas Day 2021 and Jan. 6, 2022. Swap discovered in August (2022).
Where: Ottawa, Canada (Chateau Laurier hotel). International investigation involved London, UK, and Italy.
Why: To steal a valuable artwork.
How: Wood stole the portrait, replaced it with a fake, and it was later sold internationally before being recovered.