Pub thief jailed over £2.2m Fabergé theft

Pub Thief Sentenced for £2.2m Fabergé Heist

A 29-year-old individual, identified as Enzo Conticello, also known by his alias Hakin Boudjenoune, has received a two-year-and-three-month prison term for stealing a handbag containing a rare Fabergé egg and a set of luxury items. The theft occurred on 7 November 2024, when Conticello took the bag from Rosie Dawson while she stood outside the Dog and Duck pub in Soho, London.

Dawson had placed the handbag between her legs on the ground, unaware that it held a valuable collection. The stolen items included an emerald-encrusted Fabergé egg, a watch, and other high-end possessions, which were not recovered after the incident. Conticello admitted guilt to three fraud charges and one theft count during a prior court appearance.

“On the night of the theft, it was a moment of opportunity he seized, and he genuinely regrets his actions,” stated Katie Porter-Windley, Conticello’s barrister.

Porter-Windley explained that Conticello, who previously worked as a chef, lost his job during the pandemic and developed a cocaine dependency. She argued that he had no idea the items in the bag were of exceptional value. “He didn’t recognize the egg’s worth at first glance,” she said.

The Fabergé pieces, crafted from gems and precious metals, are among the most sought-after treasures in the world. The Craft Irish Whiskey Company, Dawson’s employer, received £106,700 from insurers for the loss. However, prosecutor Julian Winship emphasized that only seven such Fabergé sets exist globally, each containing a jeweled egg, watch, and other exclusive items.

Conticello’s crime was linked to a subsequent arrest in Belfast, where he was detained in November 2025, over a year later, for separate theft offenses. During that time, he attempted to use Dawson’s credit cards in a nearby store, revealing his connection to the 2024 incident.

“The theft caused significant distress to Ms. Dawson and her company, as she realized her bag contained items of extraordinary value,” noted Recorder Kate Livesey during sentencing.

While the stolen Fabergé egg and watch remain missing, police continue their search. Det Con Arben Morina, leading the investigation, commented: “Conticello believed he was simply taking someone else’s belongings, but his actions led to a substantial prison sentence due to his greed.”

Authorities are urging anyone with information about the missing items to come forward, as the case underscores the risks of opportunistic theft in public spaces.