Man released over paintings theft

A man arrested over the theft of 60 miniature paintings, worth more than £200,000, from a Cumbrian gallery, has been released without charge.

The man from Leeds was questioned over the burglary at Abbot Hall gallery in Kendal, in August 2006.

The 18th and 19th Century portraits were on loan from a private collector.

Cumbria Police said a 52-year-old man who was arrested and bailed in October on suspicion of handling stolen goods had been released without charge.

Many of the small portraits were subsequently recovered after 14 were unwittingly sold in London last year.

Permanent display

A Cumbria Police spokesman said: "A 52-year-old man arrested and bailed on suspicion of handling stolen goods has been released without charge.

"Inquiries are ongoing."

Police have interviewed a number of people throughout the UK in connection with the theft, but only one arrest has been made.

The inquiry has also stretched to Canada and the US.

The miniatures formed part of the permanent display in the downstairs Georgian rooms in the gallery.

At the time police said the theft happened in a matter of minutes, leading them to believe the miniatures were targeted.

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