Met Police appeal after ‘priceless' 280-year-old violin stolen from pub
The instrument, which belongs to a member of the London Philharmonic Orchestra, is believed to have been taken from The Marquess Tavern on Canonbury Street on February 18.
The 30-year-old victim reported the theft to the Metropolitan Police that evening, police said
Pc Michael Collins, from the Met's local policing team in Camden, said officers were releasing CCTV in an attempt to try and identify the suspect.
'We've been working hard to try and locate the suspect and are releasing this CCTV in an effort to help identify them as soon as possible.
'The victim, who is a member of London's Philharmonia Orchestra, has told us the piece is worth more than £150,000 and was made in Florence in 1740.
Anyone with information should call 101 with the reference 01/7178074/25 or tweet the police via @MetCC.
He added: 'It is incredibly precious, and for the victim, it's priceless.'
'Please help us find the person responsible and have the violin returned it to its rightful owner.'
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The seven significant traits of a sociopath and how to spot one in your life
Think sociopath and you'll probably conjure up a mental image of Patrick Bateman in American Psycho, or serial killer Ted Bundy, or even Jeffrey Skilling, the chief executive of Enron who manipulated one of the biggest corporate fraud scandals in America and notoriously showed no remorse during his trial (and conviction) in 2006. But the bigger picture is complex. The term 'sociopath', while often used in the vernacular, is not recognised as a diagnostic label by the ICD-11 (International Classification of Diseases 11th Revision), published by the World Health Organisation. It describes sociopathic traits as dissocial personality disorder. In psychology circles, it is also referred to as antisocial personality disorder (ASPD). Psychopathic traits also sit under this umbrella, and while they share similarities, psychopathy tends to play out in more severe actions and has a stronger genetic link. The NHS states: 'Antisocial personality disorder is a particularly challenging type of personality disorder characterised by impulsive, irresponsible and often criminal behaviour.' For those living with this condition, or others in relationships with them, the long-term outcome can feel bleak. Studies indicate that around 1 per cent of the UK population meets the criteria for ASPD and it is more prevalent in men (up to 4 per cent of all males). Even more disturbing is that 50-80 per cent of male prisoners show ASPD characteristics, as do a high number of chief executives in business. Yet experts agree that sociopathy sits on a spectrum. Patric Gagne, an author and therapist, calls herself a '21st-century sociopath'. She is a well-known advocate for those suffering from ASPD, with a PhD in clinical psychology. 'I am a mother and a wife, therapist, member of a country club and well-liked – yet also 'mostly immune to remorse and grief',' she says, adding that, contrary to society's expectations, 'You can be a sociopath and have a healthy relationship. You can be a sociopath and be educated.' Experts also believe that if a person is willing to recognise and understand their behaviour and work towards change, they have the chance of living a socially adaptive and meaningful life. Here are the typical tendencies of sociopaths to look out for… They ramp up the charisma for their own advantage A sociopath is often thinking: 'How can I work this opportunity for personal gain?' So, while they might present themselves as an affable raconteur, there is little sincerity in the seemingly charming words that fall from their mouth. Sumeet Grover, a British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy-registered psychotherapist, says: 'Pulling you into their world gives them power and a sense of grandiosity. And it deflects what is really going on for them internally. Their sense of self – who I am as a person – is fragmented and so they don't feel in the same way as most people. They can be very charming, believable and relatable, while often lacking in a felt sense of empathy or remorse.' Grover goes on to explain that while the exact cause of ASPD, particularly sociopathy, isn't known, it is believed that genetics and environmental factors, including parenting styles, abuse and neglect, play a role. 'Specific behavioural traits can be seen in children as young as seven and this is called 'conduct disorder'. This might be when a young person has a history of being cruel to animals or vulnerable people, destructive at school or consistently involved in arson or theft. Research suggests that 40 per cent of males and 25 per cent of females with conduct disorder are likely to be diagnosed with ASPD in adulthood.' They rebel against authority (and never pay their parking fines) It's two-fingers-up to anyone who tries to tell them what to do or stands in their way of success. Sociopaths are masters of deceit and would rather suffer potential legal action than abide by the rules. Often they act irresponsibly without feelings of culpability, remorse or guilt. Because ASPD sits on a spectrum, some sufferers might commit monstrous acts, while others with low-level traits may veer more towards petty crimes like not paying overdue fines or shoplifting and, upon reflection, experience shame for their misdemeanours. Dr Lisa Orban, a clinical psychologist, believes these offenders could benefit from talking therapies such as cognitive behavioural therapy to manage compulsions and harmful thoughts, or acceptance and commitment therapy which focuses on handling unhelpful beliefs and feelings so they don't control someone's life. She stresses: 'The success of these treatments is dependent on the person's awareness of their actions and a commitment to behavioural change.' They will charm a crowd but lasting relationships can elude them While sociopaths can feel automatic emotions like anger, fear and sadness, it's more difficult for them to experience and understand learnt emotions like guilt, shame, affection and, particularly, empathy. Internally, they tend to believe everyone else on the planet is a loser, but externally they exploit their manipulative charm and lack of social anxiety to snare others. Their ability to 'mirror' the more positive behaviour of those around them reaps the attention (and adoration) they crave. But when it comes to building more lasting and loving connections, their 'performance' is revealed as being void of genuine feeling. Dr Tharaka Gunarathne, a clinical psychiatrist, adds: 'Someone with ASPD may form attachments, but these are often shallow and driven by personal gain rather than mutual care. The kind of love rooted in empathy, vulnerability and emotional reciprocity is typically impaired. This relates in part to how their brain is wired. The amygdala – which helps us read emotional cues – often shows reduced activity in people with ASPD, and its communication with the prefrontal cortex (our brain's control centre which helps us with moral judgment and long-term thinking) is often disrupted. So, while they might mimic the behaviours of love, the emotional depth behind those behaviours is usually limited.' They live life on the edge Studies show that because sociopaths have reduced amygdala activity in the brain, they often underestimate risk and experience a delayed response to fear. Danger becomes a means to feeling alive or empowered. In her memoir, Sociopath, Gagne writes about the risky behaviour she has displayed over the years: stealing cars and cruising around the late-night streets of Los Angeles, breaking into homes, attending the funerals of strangers… Her belief is that sociopaths find it impossible to feel in the same way as most people. Instead, they can experience apathy, or a lack of feeling, which can be a driver for certain destructive actions. In the book, Gagne's therapist explains: 'It is this lack of feeling, many researchers believe, that causes them (sociopaths) to behave aggressively and destructively. The sociopath's subconscious desire to feel is what forces him to act out.' Gagne adds: 'I was starting to understand why doing bad things made me feel… something. However brief, it connected me to the way I imagined everyone else felt all the time… And we weren't 'bad' or 'evil' or 'crazy', we just had a harder time with feelings. We acted out to fill a void.' They will be aware of your every move – and seek to dominate in relationships Very little escapes the laser focus of a sociopath. Their drive for control and power can trump any interest for a deep connection or intimate partnership. They often seek to dominate and dictate the situation and mood, with little or no concern for your needs or desires. It's not uncommon for a sociopath to engage in obsessive behaviour, even stalking someone who piques their curiosity. In extreme cases, their compulsion to control can resort into aggression and maybe violence. Dr Gunarathne acknowledges that those who are low on the spectrum may have more success with relationships, but he suggests: 'If you're with someone who fits this pattern, setting firm, non-negotiable boundaries in your own mind is essential. Don't get drawn into trying to 'fix' them – instead, focus on what you can control: your response, your limits and your network of friends who will support you. Seek professional advice if needed. Charm and confidence can be persuasive, but if the emotional cost to you is high, it's a sign to step back and reflect.' They won't say sorry To be able to apologise, or learn from mistakes, a person needs to care about the impact of their actions. Sociopaths might say sorry – especially if it serves a purpose or garners trust – but do they genuinely mean it? It's more likely they will see apologising as a sign of cowering down or a threat to their supremacy. They are more likely to push the blame on to others, making them believe everything is their fault. Dr Orban adds: 'Even though someone with ASPD may not feel remorse, they can still recognise right from wrong and read the reactions of others. Skills-based training that incorporates emotional intelligence, for example, can help improve social awareness, self-regulation and relationship management, even if the capacity for empathy is limited.' They manipulate the truth There is no one a sociopath likes better than number one. They consider themselves to be the top dog who exists in a dog-eat-dog environment and when necessary, they will obliterate everyone else to achieve their goals. And if that means twisting the truth in their favour, the facts will rapidly become blurred. Partners of sociopaths often confide they believe they are going mad because a sociopath has manipulated the truth to such extremes, they can't decipher what's real anymore. Dr Ute Liersch, a counselling psychologist at The Soke, a private mental health care centre in London, works with women who are trying to leave such toxic relationships. 'It is far from simple,' she says. 'Often they are undergoing the most brutal of divorces. And a manipulative person with ASPD will use their skills to get exactly what they want. Not only are these women doubting their experience, there is research data showing that when we live with a controlling partner, our brain function changes in the same way as if we were taking drugs. We can become addicted to that person, which makes it extremely hard to leave them. I see women managing excruciating symptoms of withdrawal. It can be a painful and debilitating separation.' Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Solve the daily Crossword
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Care worker who left suicidal teenager alone had fake ID and fled UK after she died, inquest told
An agency care worker who failed to supervise a suicidal teenage girl at a scandal-hit mental health hospital was working under a fake ID and fled the country shortly after she died, an inquest has heard. Ruth Szymankiewicz, 14, died after she was left alone at Huntercombe Hospital, near Maidenhead in Berkshire, despite requiring constant one-to-one observation, jurors at the inquest were told. The hearing was told that the support worker who had been responsible for monitoring Ruth had only gone through a day or a day and a half of online training before his first shift at the children's psychiatric hospital on 12 February 2022. He left his shift at 8pm when it ended, but should have waited to hand over to another worker before doing so, to ensure Ruth could be watched at all times. But the coroner told the jury he 'just left', meaning Ruth was left alone for 15 minutes. In that time, Ruth, who had an eating disorder, made her way to her room where she committed an act of self-harm. She was found and resuscitated, and transferred to the local acute hospital, John Radcliffe in Oxford, where she was admitted to intensive care. Ruth died two days later, on 14 February, having suffered brain injury. Assistant coroner for Buckinghamshire Ian Wade said it later emerged that the worker, who joined the hospital on the day Ruth was left unattended, had been using false identity documents and was hired through an agency under a false name, Ebo Achempong. 'The evidence showed he had been employed through an agency, who checked his identity documents, and they even trained him by putting him through a day or day and a half course,' Mr Wade told jurors. 'It appears that these particular processes were the norm and were sufficient to enable a hospital to employ this person. But on 12 February, he did not keep Ruth under a constant watch. 'Some time around eight in the evening, this man ended his shift without knowing where she was and without making sure that he handed her over to another member of staff to continue the one-to-one care regime. 'He simply left.' Mr Wade continued: 'It turned out he wasn't Ebo Achempong, that was a false name. He had been assisted to acquire a false identity documents, and he never returned to work at Huntercombe.' After Ruth's death, police tracked down the worker's phone, which revealed he had gone 'to Heathrow airport and got on a plane to Ghana'. The coroner said police think they know 'who he truly was', but that he was 'never seen again' after leaving the country. 'It seems that he learnt what happened that evening,' Mr Wade said. "He let Ruth down. He let everyone down.' The inquest, which started on Monday, heard Ruth should have been under continuous one-to-one observations and watched at all times following a suicide attempt on 7 February. When Ruth was left unsupervised, she was able to asphyxiate herself, the coroner said. A post-mortem examination carried out by the Home Office later determined the preliminary cause of death to be 'hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy' – a type of brain damage due to lack of oxygen. After Ruth's death, the Care Quality Commission launched a criminal investigation alongside the police. Police have taken no further action. The CQC has not stated whether it will take forward a prosecution. The court further heard that the privately run Huntercombe Hospital had been inspected twice by the CQC prior to the incident. 'The CQC had not reported favourably on Huntercombe,' the coroner told the inquest. The Huntercombe Hospital in Maidenhead, also called Taplow Manor, closed in 2023 after joint investigations by The Independent and Sky News. It was part of a group, formerly run by The Huntercombe Group and now taken over by Active Care Group. Ruth's parents, Kate and Mark, who are both doctors, read out a pen portrait for their daughter describing her as 'cheeky, kind, blunt yet deeply thoughtful'. 'Ruth was born in 2007, our firstborn and the first baby within most of our friendship groups and social circles. She was born with a head of bright red hair, perhaps the first indication of the fiery, determined and at times stubborn side of her. But that red head was also a sign of her huge heart, of her deep passion for life and the huge well of love she had within her.' They said Ruth was 'intelligent, creative with a spirit that made her unforgettable', and that 'she lived life wholeheartedly' and 'had big ideas she wanted to help the world'. 'She died at the age of just 14, too young ... Her death has shattered us, her wider family, and it's had a profound impact on all of us.' Ruth had suffered from Tourette syndrome and a tic condition, which had impacted her mental health. She was also diagnosed with an eating disorder, all conditions which emerged during and after the Covid-19 pandemic. In the weeks before her admission to Taplow Manor, she was admitted to a general acute ward at Salisbury Hospital, where she spent a few weeks following a self-harm attempt. At the time, she was under the care of the local community child and adolescent mental health team. While at Salisbury, she suffered a 'traumatic' incident in which her nasogastric (NG) tube, used for feeding, was inserted into her lungs. On 4 October, with no other beds available, Ruth was sent to Taplow Manor, tens of miles away from her home and family. Ruth's mother, Kate, told the court that the family were pressured and told that there was no choice when they were told by doctors that their daughter would be admitted to Thames Ward, at Taplow Manor, which is a psychiatric intensive care unit. These units are wards for the most severely mentally unwell children, and guidance says patients should be on these wards for just 8 weeks. However, Ruth was on the ward from October 2021 until her death in February 2022. In a statement to the court, Ms Szymankiewicz described a series of concerns over the care of her daughter, including that the family were only able to see their daughter twice a week. She said the family were not told of several self-harm attempts and injuries. Ruth, according to her mother, had no access to psychological support and had just two sessions with an assistant psychiatrist in the four months before her death, she told the court. 'Her days were shaped by being restrained, NG fed and watched by staff. She said, 'Do I need to hurt myself so I can go to a normal hospital?' 'She was desperate, nothing displayed that more poignantly than the note Ruth left before she died… 'We felt we had to push for information. You could see Ruth was deteriorating. Ruth was being provided with so little therapeutic care,' Ms Szymankiewicz said. She also described how their daughter was given unsupervised access to her phone on the ward despite her parents raising repeated concerns. In December, on a visit home for Christmas, Ruth grew anxious at the thought of going back to hospital. She allegedly told her parents she would 'rather die than go back to Thames Ward'. She was so distressed that she had to be taken back to hospital in handcuffs and foot restraints, an incident her mother described as 'traumatic.' Five days before the fatal self-harm attempt, Ruth was able to self-harm in a very similar fashion after she was left alone for 30 minutes, the court heard. Ruth's parents found out she was supposed to be on 15-minute observations, down from constant; however, after the 7 February incident, observations were increased to constant again. Ending her statement, Ms Szymankiewicz said of her daughter: 'She was managed and contained and not helped. The things Ruth had to endure would've felt like torture to her and something she would've done anything to escape.' 'The loss of a child, I don't think anyone who hasn't experienced it can truly understand … We hope the process of unpicking her story might influence the care of others going forward.' The inquest at Buckinghamshire Coroner's Court in Beaconsfield continues. If you are experiencing feelings of distress or are struggling to cope, you can speak to the Samaritans in confidence on 116 123 (UK and ROI), email jo@ or visit the Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branch. If you are based in the USA, and you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call or text 988, or visit to access online chat from the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. This is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you are in another country, you can go to to find a helpline near you. For anyone struggling with the issues raised in this article, eating disorder charity Beat's helpline is available 365 days a year on 0808 801 0677. NCFED offers information, resources and counselling for those suffering from eating disorders, as well as their support networks. Visit or call 0845 838 2040 Solve the daily Crossword
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an hour ago
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He was stopped for a minor traffic offence on the M6 - now he's in prison for more than 10 years
Police found cocaine with a possible street value of more than half a million pounds after pulling a man over on the M6. Peter Jensen's car was stopped at Sandbach services in Cheshire after officers spotted an alleged 'minor traffic offence' between junctions 16 and 17. Whilst they were speaking to him, they said Jensen 'became visibly nervous.' READ MORE: UK households urged to sprinkle chilli powder across gardens in August READ MORE: Man who died at Oasis Wembley concert named as tributes paid to 'loving family man' Due to his behaviour, they searched the car, Cheshire Police said. Never miss a story with the MEN's daily Catch Up newsletter - get it in your inbox by signing up here Inside they found a cardboard box containing 20 individually wrapped packages of cocaine. They had an estimated value of between £340,000 and £600,000 the force said. He was arrested and charged with possession with intent to supply Class A drugs. Jensesn, 37 and of Parbold Court, Widnes, pleaded guilty an earlier hearing. Join our Court and Crime WhatsApp group HERE He was sentenced at Chester Crown Court on Thursday, July 31 where he was jailed for 10 years and six months. Following the sentencing PC Jemma Bingham said: 'Thanks to a simple stop check for a minor traffic offence, we've recovered up to £600,000 worth of Class A drugs and another drug dealer is now behind bars. 'The impact that illegal drugs have on our communities cannot be underestimated which is why we will not stop with our efforts to make Cheshire a hostile environment for criminals. "We take this kind of criminality very seriously here in Cheshire, so let this result be a warning to anyone who thinks they can get away with drug dealing in our county without any repercussions."
