Two British brothers jailed for breaking into Swiss museum to steal 14th century Ming antiques worth millions

16 January 2024, 21:28

Stewart and Louis Ahearne have been jailed
Stewart and Louis Ahearne have been jailed. Picture: Met Police

By Kit Heren

Two British brothers have been sent to prison for breaking into a Swiss museum to steal 700-year-old Chinese antiques worth millions of pounds.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

Stewart Ahearne, 45, and Louis Ahearne, 36, have been found guilty of aggravated theft and sent to prison for three and a half years for the heist at Geneva's Museum of Far Eastern Art in June 2019.

The brothers helped steal a bowl and two 14th century vases that were said to be worth £3.5 million in total.

They have also been banned from Switzerland for five years each when their jail terms end and ordered to pay £13,770 in damages to the foundation that runs the museum.

The south-east London brothers, along with a third man named as Daniel Kelly, caused about £3.2 million pounds of damage with the power saw, sledgehammer and crowbar they used to break into the museum.

Stewart Ahearne
Stewart Ahearne. Picture: Met Police
Louis Ahearne
Louis Ahearne. Picture: Met Police

The judge in the Geneva trial, Patrick Monney, said the men "acted out of desire to enrich themselves".

He added that "this desire was considerable."

Describing the events of the burglary, he said: "During the burglary on 1 June 2019 the three act together.

"After checking out the configuration the day before they know where they are going to the point they run once inside.

"They are able to go in through the hole and out through that same hole in less than a minute."

One of the bowls was taken to Hong Kong, while the vase was taken to London, where it was recovered by Met Police officers in 2021 in a sting operation. The other bowl has not been found. The men were arrested, and extradited to Switzerland in 2022.

The Museum of Oriental Arts in Geneva
The Museum of Oriental Arts in Geneva. Picture: Alamy

The two brothers, who claimed they were coerced into taking part in the raid, apologised before their sentencing.

Stewart Ahearne said: "I would like to say sorry to the person who owns the museum for the pain and inconvenience caused. I would like to say sorry to the Swiss society in general." He also apologised to his partner.

Louis Ahearne added: "I would like to add my condolences to the museum, Swiss society and my family for the stress I have put them through."

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Breaking
Axel Rudakubana will be 'target number one' in prison

Southport killer Axel Rudakubana's sentence won't be referred to Court of Appeal despite claims it's 'unduly lenient'

The damaged shield

'Risk of radioactive leak' after Russian 'high explosive' drone hits Chernobyl, causing 'significant damage'

The fire broke out at the Chiltern Firehouse

Fire engulfs celebrity haunt Chiltern Firehouse as 100 evacuated from luxury hotel

Trump confirms he will meet Starmer in Washington 'in the next few weeks'

Trump to meet with Starmer in Washington 'in the next few weeks' - as JD Vance slams Europe in fiery speech

Both Meghan and Kate shared Valentine's pictures

Harry and Meghan share sweet Valentine's photo after William and Kate also post romantic picture

Jaden Sheriff.

Man found guilty of killing ex-girlfriend's neighbour over 'blue balls', sentenced to life imprisonment

The woman was attacked by a shark

Horror as woman loses both hands after being mauled by shark as husband desperately fights it off

United States Vice-President JD Vance, second right, meets with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, third left, during a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference in Munich

'Putin is a liar': Zelenskyy's warning to Trump as Ukraine's leader voices concern over 'risky' phone calls with Russia

Addenbrookes hospital, Cambridge

Children's surgeon suspended after nine operations fall 'below standards' in Cambridge

Lesley Joseph refuses to discuss Pauline Quirke's dementia diagnosis.

'I won't talk about her at the moment': Lesley Joseph refuses to discuss Pauline Quirke's dementia diagnosis

Ada Bikakci

Girl, 9, killed after being hit by London bus, as driver charged with driving while drunk or on drugs

Exclusive
A small group of secondary school pupils working on practical experiments in a chemistry lab.

Ministers should consider shortening school holidays and letting teachers work from home, union chief says

JD Vance

Free speech is 'in retreat' across Europe, claims JD Vance - as US brands it a 'bigger threat than Russia'

oxford street with shoppers

Two arrested in Oxford St 'celebrity romance scam' after victims coerced into sending £200k to 'well-known boyfriends'

What if Ukraine were the UK? Could you accept surrendering a fifth of our country to Putin after so much sacrifice?

What if Ukraine were the UK? Could you accept surrendering a fifth of our country to Putin after so much sacrifice?

Most expensive pint revealed.

Most expensive pint in UK pubs revealed