A museum manager stole precious artefacts for over almost two decades before selling them for more than £50,000, a court has heard.
Stephen Harris, 66, former operations manager at Gressenhall Farm and Workhouse in Norfolk, has been accused of stealing several items from the collections by Norfolk Museums Service.
The alleged thefts, said to have been revealed following an on-going investigation that took place over several years, are believed to have included prestigious items such as two saucers, ceramics, glass and coins.
At Norwich Magistrates’ Court, Mr Harris was accused of selling off the precious items at auctions by pretending that they were his own, Eastern Daily Press has reported.
While the ‘full value’ of the alleged thefts are yet to be calculated, Nicole Lamb, prosecuting said that they were believed to be ‘£52,000 or possibly more’.
She revealed that Mr Harris allegedly used his access while working as an employee in order to take the collection items being kept in storage.
Some of the items Mr Harris is said to have stolen raised an estimated £15,000 when sold at Bonhams, a prestigious privately-owned international auction house that specialises in items such as fine art, jewelry and antiques.
Ms Lamb added that given the significant ‘abuse of trust’ by Mr Harris, his suspected crimes were too serious to be heard by the magistrates.
Stephen Harris, 66, former operations manager at Gressenhall Farm and Workhouse in Norfolk (pictured), has been accused of stealing several items from the collections by Norfolk Museums Service
The alleged thefts are believed to have included prestigious items such as two saucers, ceramics, glass and coins. Pictured: Norwich Castle Museum, which Norfolk Museum Service presides over
Mr Harris had allegedly used his access while working as an employee at the museum (pictured) in order to take the collection items being kept in storage. Some of the items Mr Harris is said to have stolen raised an estimated £15,000 when sold at Bonhams
But Rob New, for the defence, said that Mr Harris ’emphatically denies these allegations’.
Mr Harris, from Mattishall, Norfolk, pleaded not guilty to theft by employee between 2005 and 2022 and the concealing, disguising and transferring of money raised from selling stolen antiques.
He also denied four counts of fraud by false representation over the dishonest selling of items at Bonhams, Keys auctioneers at Aylsham, alongside Lockdales at Martlesham, near Ipswich.
Mr Harris was given unconditional bail ahead of a further hearing at Norwich crown court on August 26.
Norfolk Museum Service, which preside over 10 museums across the county such as Norwich Castle Museum, declined to provide any additional details regarding their investigation.
A spokesperson told The Telegraph: ‘Due to the ongoing legal process, we are not in a position to provide further comment at this time.’
Norfolk Museums Service, Gresenhall Farm and Workhouse, Bonhams, Keys auctioneers and Lockdales have all been approached for comment.
