London's High Court has ordered a former British Museum curator who allegedly stole and damaged artefacts to return any he may have.
Dr Peter Higgs was dismissed for gross misconduct in July last year after more than 1,800 items were found to be missing, stolen or damaged.
The institution's lawyers told the court there is “compelling evidence” Dr Higgs “abused his position of trust” between at least July 2009 and January 2018, which he denies.
Mrs Justice Heather Williams made an order at the High Court on Tuesday saying Dr Higgs must list or return any stolen items within four weeks.
Barrister Daniel Burgess claimed that Dr Higgs, who has been investigated by the Metropolitan Police but not charged with an offence, stole items such as gems, jewellery, gold, silver and “intentionally” damaged artefacts by removing gold and silver from them.
It is presently believed the items were stolen or damaged and that many hundreds of them were listed for sale on eBay, using PayPal to facilitate payment, the court heard.
Most of them had been kept in a storeroom.
Artefacts at the British Museum – in pictures
“Those acts amounted to conversion or trespass, breach of his employment contract and breach of fiduciary duty,” Mr Burgess wrote in his written argument.
The lawyer said Dr Higgs intends to dispute the claim.
He told the court the defendant had access to the items and tried to “cover his tracks” by using fake names, creating false documents, manipulating the museum’s records and selling artefacts “at an undervalue”.
Dr Higgs was also accused of impeding the institution’s investigation into the thefts by suggesting a colleague delete their text and emails and refusing to pass relevant information, the court heard.
Mr Burgess said in written argument: “The items that have been stolen from the museum are of cultural and historical significance.
“There is a compelling public interest in their recovery. The museum (and that public interest) will suffer irremediable harm if the items are lost, including because delay in locating them means that they become irrecoverable.”
The court heard 356 stolen items have been returned to the museum to date.
Mrs Justice Williams also ordered the disclosure of eBay and PayPal records belonging to Dr Higgs, which may contain evidence of sales being made.
She said there was “cogent evidence” that the museum’s allegations may be correct.
The Met will also give an independent computer specialist temporary access to devices they seized during a search of Dr Higgs’s home on August 16 2023.
Dr Higgs, who worked within the Department of Greece and Rome for over 30 years before his sacking, did not attend the hearing due to poor health, the court heard.
The police investigation is continuing.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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UK-EU trade at a glance
EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years
Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products
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MORE ON THE US DEMOCRATIC PRIMARIES
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
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Family reunited
Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe was born and raised in Tehran and studied English literature before working as a translator in the relief effort for the Japanese International Co-operation Agency in 2003.
She moved to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies before moving to the World Health Organisation as a communications officer.
She came to the UK in 2007 after securing a scholarship at London Metropolitan University to study a master's in communication management and met her future husband through mutual friends a month later.
The couple were married in August 2009 in Winchester and their daughter was born in June 2014.
She was held in her native country a year later.
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Banned items
Dubai Police has also issued a list of banned items at the ground on Sunday. These include:
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Political flags or banners
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Bikes, skateboards or scooters
Recipe
Garlicky shrimp in olive oil
Gambas Al Ajillo
Preparation time: 5 to 10 minutes
Cooking time: 5 minutes
Serves 4
Ingredients
180ml extra virgin olive oil; 4 to 5 large cloves of garlic, minced or pureed (or 3 to 4 garlic scapes, roughly chopped); 1 or 2 small hot red chillies, dried (or ¼ teaspoon dried red chilli flakes); 400g raw prawns, deveined, heads removed and tails left intact; a generous splash of sweet chilli vinegar; sea salt flakes for seasoning; a small handful of fresh flat-leaf parsley, roughly chopped
Method
▶ Heat the oil in a terracotta dish or frying pan. Once the oil is sizzling hot, add the garlic and chilli, stirring continuously for about 10 seconds until golden and aromatic.
▶ Add a splash of sweet chilli vinegar and as it vigorously simmers, releasing perfumed aromas, add the prawns and cook, stirring a few times.
▶ Once the prawns turn pink, after 1 or 2 minutes of cooking, remove from the heat and season with sea salt flakes.
▶ Once the prawns are cool enough to eat, scatter with parsley and serve with small forks or toothpicks as the perfect sharing starter. Finish off with crusty bread to soak up all that flavour-infused olive oil.
