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The Chelsea Gazette
Miss Davenport (Photo:Zane
Clements)
Local Art Dealer jailed for 3 years
A local Chelsea antique dealer was jailed for three years yesterday after trying to sell a stolen painting.
The painting, by Joshua Blythe which was auctioned at Huddleston's back in September was sold for £17,600.
Miss Miranda Davenport, whose shop is situated in Chelsea High Street maintained her innocence as police escorted her away from Chelsea magistrates court yesterday morning, despite the fact that an affidavit found at Miss Davenport's Chelsea flat proved that the paining had been in the family for generations.
Joshua Blythe's 19th century painting was stolen from an art dealer in 1961 and hadn't been recovered until September when Miss Davenport attempted to auction it at Huddleston's.
Although Miss Davenport refused to say where the family had attained the painting she insisted that it hadn't been stolen. She said yesterday " The painting was given to our family years ago, I had no idea that it had been stolen. we have an affidavit to prove that it belongs to our family. Today's verdict is a great mischaracter of justice and I will be discussing the possibility of an appeal with my lawyers."
Miss Davenport's parents were at court number 2 yesterday to hear the verdict but refused to comment upon leaving the courts.
The police issued a statement last night saying " The auctioneer's at Huddleston's should be commended, they realised exactly what the painting was almost immediately and together they helped prevent Miss Davenport making a lot of money."
There are still irregularities about this case though, several witnesses at the trial gave evidence that they saw Miss Davenport talking to a short man inside the auction room just minutes before the painting was discovered to be stolen. The man, who still hasn't been identified apparently gave Miss Davenport a bunch of daffodils and a birthday card before leaving the auction. Although Miss Davenport denied this claim in court.
Miss Davenport looked stunned yesterday as the judge sentenced her to three years imprisonment, although she is expected to appeal against the decision.