Pub thief jailed over £2.2m Fabergé theft

Pub Thief Jailed for Over Two Years in £2.2m Fabergé Theft

Enzo Conticello, 29, has been sentenced to more than two years in prison for stealing a handbag containing a priceless Fabergé egg and a set of valuable items from a central London pub. The theft, which occurred on 7 November 2024, involved taking Rosie Dawson’s bag—placed between her legs on the ground—outside the Dog and Duck pub in Soho. The items inside, including a jeweled Fabergé egg, a watch, and other luxury goods, were later revealed to be worth up to £2.2 million.

The thief, also known as Hakin Boudjenoune, admitted guilt to three fraud charges and one theft count during a prior hearing. Prosecutors argued that Conticello sought “quick profit” and had handed over the bag to acquire drugs. His connection to the crime became apparent when he attempted to use Dawson’s bank cards at a nearby store shortly after the theft. Insurers compensated Dawson’s employers, the Craft Irish Whiskey Company, with £106,700 for the loss, though the stolen items remain missing.

Conticello’s legal representative, Katie Porter-Windley, highlighted his previous career as a chef and his job loss during the pandemic, which led to cocaine addiction. She emphasized that the theft was a “moment of opportunity” and that Conticello expressed genuine remorse for his actions. “He didn’t recognize the immense value of the items he took,” she stated, noting the Fabergé egg’s “extraordinary” appearance, which might have misled him about its worth.

Recorder Kate Livesey, presiding over the case, underscored the impact of the crime, stating that the “opportunistic” theft caused significant stress and disruption for Dawson and her company. “She described the shock and panic upon realizing the bag held items of such high value,” the judge said, adding that the incident had left a lasting mark on the victim. Police are still searching for the stolen Fabergé egg and watch, with Det Con Arben Morina, the lead investigator, remarking, “Conticello thought nothing of taking someone else’s possessions, and now faces a prison sentence due to his greed.”

“On the night in question, it was a moment of opportunity which he took, and he is genuinely remorseful for his behaviour,” said Katie Porter-Windley.

Conticello was arrested for separate thefts in Belfast in November 2025, over a year after the London incident. His connection to the 2024 crime was established through the use of Dawson’s cards, which were linked to the theft. Despite the loss, the case highlights the rare value of the Fabergé items, as only seven such sets exist globally.