[MSN] Australia. Man to be sentenced for the theft of more than a dozen paintings from a studio in 2004, including a work that the owner claimed was a Cezanne worth $50 million.

[MSN]

Man to be sentenced for art heist
May 09, 2008 04:00am

A GOLD Coast man will be sentenced today for the theft of more than a dozen paintings from a studio in 2004, including a work that the owner claimed was a Cezanne worth $50 million.

Brett Michael Williams will face sentencing in Lismore District Court, more than four years after what was said to be Australia's biggest art heist.

Williams, aged 44 at the time of his arrest, stole a number of paintings and prints from art restorer John Opit's poorly secured northern NSW studio, including what Mr Opit said was an original 1873 painting by French impressionist Paul Cezanne called "Son in a High Chair".

Its theft, and its eventual return, led to a debate about its authenticity which captured the attention of art experts the world over.

Despite police claims that the piece is a fake, Mr Opit today said it was undoubtedly a true Cezanne, painted in the artist's early years, and was now probably worth $100 million.

All the stolen pieces, including notable works by John Glover, Arthur Streeton and Winslow Homer, were recovered in a Gold Coast garage almost four months after being taken.

Williams, who had pleaded not guilty to charges of break, enter and steal, was found guilty by a jury in December.

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