Couple nab would-be bronze thief

Desmond Fountain has been sculpting for more than 40 years

A sculptor and his wife caught a man trying to steal a bronze statue from a Mayfair art gallery and sat on him until police arrived.

Desmond Fountain was at the first day of his exhibition at the Gallery in Cork Street when his wife Luli confronted the suspect.

When the man refused to put the £5,000 bronze down, she first tripped him and then the couple both sat on the man.

The couple say they have no regrets over their decision to intervene.

Asked if he would do the same again, Mr Fountain said: "Absolutely - I might not be so gentle though the next time."

Mrs Fountain said she did not stop to think about her own safety when she noticed the bronze was missing from the display and barred the doorway to confront the man.

"I just wanted to stop him from getting away with the sculpture."

Police arrested a man on suspicion of theft.

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Woman sat on gallery thief