French art lover admits crime spree

Stephane Breitwieser, 32, is accused of stealing 69 works from museums across Switzerland since 1995.

" I was fascinated by her beauty, by the qualities of the woman on the painting and by her eyes "
Stephane Breitwieser

He was arrested in November 2001 near the Richard Wagner Museum in Lucerne, Switzerland, days after he allegedly stole a hunting horn dagger dating from 1584.

Police say he has confessed to stealing 69 works from museums across Switzerland since 1995.

Following his trial in the region of Gruyeres, where he faces up to 10 years in jail, he may be extradited to France on further charges.

On the first day of his trial on Tuesday, Mr Breitwieser interrupted court proceedings several times to correct the description of a painting.

The wine waiter told the court about his first theft in 1995, which took place on a visit to the Gruyeres medieval castle in central Switzerland.

When he found himself alone in an empty room he took a small 18th-Century painting by German artist Christian Wilhelm Dietrich, valued at $2,100.

"I was fascinated by her beauty, by the qualities of the woman on the painting and by her eyes," he said.

Mr Breitwieser then went on to steal more than 200 paintings and artefacts from France, Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium, it is alleged.

Vandalised

But much of what he stole was destroyed by his mother, Mireille Breitwieser, who cut up works and threw antiques into the Rhine-Rhone canal when she learnt of her son's arrest.

Among the vandalised canvasses were works by Antoine Watteau and Peter Bruegel.

Mr Breitwieser hoarded his cache at his mother's house and made no attempt to sell them on.

About 110 objects, valued at $10.7m, have been recovered including glassware, china and musical instruments.

But up to 60 paintings have not been found, with investigators fearing they were destroyed by Mrs Breitwieser.

She was arrested last year on suspicion of handling stolen goods and was jailed for three months.

Mr Breitwieser's trial continues.