Stolen Art Watch, Firle Place Porcelain Heist, Thirteen Months Later, Graham Harkin Charged

Charge over Firle Place antiques burglary

http://www.theargus.co.uk/news/8339215.Charge_over_Firle_Place_antiques_burglary/

• By Ben Parsons, Crime Reporter »

Sussex Police have charged a man over a £1m antiques raid on Firle Place.

The force issued a statement today saying: "A 58-year-old man from Wakefield, Yorkshire, was charged on Monday, 16 August, with the burglary at Firle Place, near Lewes, in July 2009.

Graham Harkin is due to appear at Lewes Magistrates Court on Wednesday, 1 September.

Graham Harkin is currently in custody for being caught in possession of the Thomas Tompion clock stolen from Levens Hall Kendal, Cumbria September 2009, and further charged with the theft of a high value Sundial from Dalemain House, near Pooley Bridge.

The Firle Place haul includes "Pieces of Sevres porcelain stolen, including an important pair of identical vases made in 1763 and a Hollandaise Nouveau vase which is historically very rare.

"The value of the items stolen is believed to be around £1 million pounds. None of these have been recovered."

Art Hostage Comments:

Well, suck me sideways, Knock me down with a feather, what a complete surprise !!!