A 61-year-old man admitted handling £400,000 worth of clothes and musical equipment taken from the London studio of artist Damien Hirst, and has been remanded in custody, while his 36-year-old son has been charged with the burglary.
Leslie Gomm appeared via video link at Isleworth Crown Court on Wednesday after admitting a charge of handling stolen goods. Prosecutors said the items taken from Hirst’s Thames Wharf studio in Hammersmith included unique T‑shirts, 12 specially adapted jackets, jeans designed by the artist and a set of hi‑tech speakers.
Ravinder Johal, prosecuting, told the court that there had been developments in the inquiry and that Gomm’s son, identified as Liam Gomm, 36, has now been charged with burglary. Mr Johal said Liam Gomm’s plea and trial preparation hearing will take place at Kingston Crown Court on Sept. 19.
Mr Johal said the son told investigators he had been asleep and had no knowledge of the burglary. Defence counsel Samir Asha said in relation to Leslie Gomm’s case that Hirst had told police most of the items were works in progress and “the items stolen may have not had as much value.”
Judge Edward Connell remanded Leslie Gomm in custody to appear with his son at Kingston Crown Court on Sept. 19. Court paperwork and prosecution statements said Leslie Gomm handled the stolen items between June 29 and July 8. The burglary at the Thames Wharf studio is reported to have occurred between June 27 and June 30.
Neighbours and residents at the Thames Wharf building, which overlooks the Thames between Hammersmith and Putney bridges, told media outlets the intruder appeared to target clothing rather than Hirst’s artworks, walking past what one resident described as “invaluable artwork.” Prosecutors and police have not said whether any of Hirst’s celebrated pieces were taken.
The studio is linked to one of Britain’s best-known contemporary artists. Damien Hirst rose to prominence in the 1990s as part of the Young British Artists movement and is a Turner Prize winner. His works, which have included a preserved tiger shark and a cabinet filled with thousands of painted pills, have sold for multimillion‑pound sums; Hirst’s net worth has been estimated at around £300 million.
The goods at the centre of the current case were described in court documents and press reports as unique fashion pieces and technical audio equipment associated with Hirst’s practice. The value of the recovered items was estimated at about £400,000, according to the prosecution.
Police have previously said they continue to investigate the break‑in at the Thames Wharf premises. The matter will return to Kingston Crown Court on Sept. 19 for a combined appearance by father and son, when further details, including pleas and trial timetables, are expected to be formally entered.