Pub thief jailed over £2.2m Fabergé theft
Pub Thief Jailed for £2.2m Fabergé Theft
Enzo Conticello, a 29-year-old man known by the alias Hakin Boudjenoune, has been sentenced to more than two years in prison for stealing a handbag containing a £2.2m worth Fabergé egg and watch set from a pub in central London. The incident occurred on 7 November 2024, when Conticello took Rosie Dawson’s bag, which she had left between her legs on the ground while standing outside the Dog and Duck pub in Soho.
Fabergé Items Stolen for Display
The items inside the bag—emerald-encrusted jewels and a watch—were taken by Dawson for a work event earlier that evening. Despite the high value, the stolen goods have not been recovered. Conticello admitted guilt to three counts of fraud and one theft charge during a prior hearing, leading to his sentencing at Southwark Crown Court.
“On the night in question, it was a moment of opportunity which he took, and he is genuinely remorseful for his behaviour,” said his barrister, Katie Porter-Windley.
Conticello, who previously worked as a chef, lost his job during the pandemic and fell into cocaine addiction. His lawyer explained that he was seeking “easy money” and handed over the bag to purchase drugs. The theft was linked to his actions when he attempted to use Dawson’s bank cards in a nearby shop shortly after the crime.
Unique Fabergé Sets Highlighted in Prosecution
Fabergé, a prestigious Russian jeweller established in 1842, is renowned for its gemstone-encrusted eggs. Prosecutor Julian Winship emphasized that only seven such complete sets—comprising a jewelled egg, watch, whisky bottle, cigars, and humidor—exist globally. Insurers compensated Dawson’s employer, the Craft Irish Whiskey Company, with £106,700 for the loss.
“Conticello thought nothing of helping himself to someone else’s possessions, and he now faces a prison sentence as a result of his greed,” stated Det Con Arben Morina, leading the investigation.
Recorder Kate Livesey noted that the theft caused significant stress for Dawson and her company, describing the crime as “opportunistic.” She added, “Ms Dawson described the particular shock and panic upon realising a bag containing items of such particular value owned by the company had been stolen, and the incredible stress this incident has caused her.” Police continue searching for the stolen Fabergé items.
Conticello was arrested in Belfast in November 2025, over a year after the handbag theft, which connected him to the 2024 crime. His barrister argued he lacked awareness of the items’ value, stating, “so extraordinary that he wouldn’t know on the face of it whether that was high value or not.”
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