The thief who stole one of Benvenuto Cellini’s most valuable artworks has been caught and the salt cellar recovered. He got a trifle arrogant when he sent his police pursuers a text message: “Thank you for your efforts. We will get back to you shortly.”
It was enough to trace Robert Mang’s telephone, and yesterday the man known as a “gentleman thief” received four years in jail for stealing the 16th-century golden salt cellar sculpted by the Italian master. Known as the Saliera, it is the only fully authenticated work in gold by Cellini and is valued at about £40 million.
I for one am glad to hear that he has been sentenced - there is no such thing as a gentleman thief; they're all bastards. I am very pleased that this magnificent work of art can now be appreciated by more people than a 'gentleman thief'. Exactly what is so gentlemanly about depriving people of their possessions?
Mang, 51, the owner of a security company, has become a celebrity in Austria.
... and what's more - the bastard owns a security company!!
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