London - A partially blind 94-year-old doctor told a jury yesterday a couple of antiques dealers stole two valuable L.S. Lowry oil paintings from him.
Giving evidence from a wheelchair, Dr Percy Thompson-Hancock claimed that despite his protestations the pair openly removed the canvases from his lounge wall.
Southwark Crown Court heard Mr Michael Openshaw (51) and Mr Robert Barrett (54), both from Hove, Sussex, left £10,400 "sitting on a table" for Children on a Promenade, and a few days later sent a further £6,000 for A Family of Three. The defendants deny stealing the paintings in November 1996.
