Thief Imprisoned for £2M Faberge Egg Heist at Soho Pub
A man has been jailed after stealing a handbag outside a Soho pub that contained a rare Fabergé egg and watch. The theft occurred on November 7, 2024, in the smoking area of the Dog and Duck on Bateman Street.
The theft and stolen items
The victim, Rosie Dawson, left a Givenchy handbag on the ground between her legs. The bag held a green, emerald-decorated Fabergé egg and a matching watch owned by the Craft Irish Whiskey Company.
Also taken were a £1,500 Apple laptop, Apple AirPods, a £350 store voucher, three bank cards, keys, £200 of make-up, a £150 Mulberry card holder, and £20 in cash. The bag’s retail value was about £1,600.
Suspect and immediate aftermath
The defendant, 29-year-old Enzo Conticello, also known as Hakin Boudjenoune, was linked to the theft within minutes. Fraud alerts showed he attempted a £33.48 purchase on Berwick Street at 10:12pm using one stolen card.
Two further card attempts followed later that night but were cancelled by the banks. The complainant received a message the next morning about a found bank card between Soho and Charing Cross.
Court case and sentence
Conticello pleaded guilty in February to three counts of fraud by false representation and one count of theft. Southwark Crown Court heard he took the bag to obtain quick cash to feed a cocaine habit.
Recorder Kate Livesey jailed him for two years and three months. He will serve up to half that term before release on licence.
Defence and personal circumstances
His barrister said he had worked as a chef before losing his job during the Covid pandemic. The defence described him as homeless and addicted to cocaine at the time.
She told the court he handed the bag to another person to buy drugs. He expressed remorse for his actions, she added.
Value and company loss
Insurers compensated the drinks company with £106,700 for the loss. Prosecutors noted only seven of the Fabergé sets exist worldwide.
Each set includes a jewelled egg, a watch, a whisky bottle, cigars and a humidor. Three sets previously sold for between $2 million and $3 million.
Investigation and missing items
The green, 10cm Fabergé egg and its watch remain missing. Detective Constable Arben Morina is leading the inquiry and urged the public to come forward.
Police said the defendant never explained what he did with the jewellery. They continue to seek information on the whereabouts of the egg and watch.
Compensation and confiscation
The judge considered a £3,000 compensation order but declined it. Conticello was described as a person of no means unable to pay.
Prosecutors also noted confiscation or compensation routes were unlikely to succeed. Filmogaz.com will monitor any further developments.
- Date of theft: November 7, 2024.
- Location: Dog and Duck pub, Bateman Street, Soho.
- Defendant: Enzo Conticello (aka Hakin Boudjenoune), 29.
- Sentence: Two years and three months imprisonment.
- Items missing: 10cm green Fabergé egg with emerald and accompanying watch.
- Insurer payout: £106,700 to Craft Irish Whiskey Company.
