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Master Forgers: The Greenhalgh Family: Does Crime Really Pay?
Introduction
This eBook delves into the fascinating world of art forgery and the mysterious ways in which the Greenhalgh family of Bolton, Lancashire had operated one of the longest running art frauds spanning almost 18 years. Olive Greenhalgh and her wheelchair-bound husband, George, appeared very much like any other elderly couple. They lived in their council house and went about their day to day lives like most people of their age. But, behind closed doors the unassuming pair was hatching Britain's biggest conspiracy of fake art and antiquities worth millions of pounds.
On the 16th November, 2007, George, his wife Olive and their Son Shaun stood before the judge and confessed to conspiring to defraud museums and private collectors during their eighteen year span and laundering the money that they had made from their criminal acts. Shaun Greenhalgh, 47, the leader, was jailed for four years and eight months, whilst his mum Olive, 82 received a 12 month sentence, suspended for two years for her role in the swindle. After medical tests, George Greenhalgh, 84 received a 12 month suspended sentence mainly due to his age. Much disagreement surrounds this case as many people believe the sentences did not reflect the crime.
The family were said to have millions from their crimes but bank accounts showed that they had made at least £850,000. The police believe that the total may be closer though to two million pounds, yet they only had assets of £404,250, most of which remained untouched in their high street bank account which naturally the judge ordered to be confiscated. So what happened to the rest of the money? The family lived in a modest end terraced council house therefore they did not buy property. When the house was searched they didn’t even own a computer and appeared to be living in relative poverty. They did not travel as it was proved that Olive had never even travelled outside of the Bolton area where she lived. On the whole they were not motivated by money at all it appeared. Was Shaun thus motivated by his frustrated talent as an artist and inspired by ambition? This would appear to be the only reasons but there is still a vast amount of the money raised from these forgeries that is missing. Given this knowledge and that that their sentences did not reflect the magnitude of the crime we are left with an important question amongst many others – Does Crime Really Pay?
This eBook delves into the fascinating world of art forgery and the mysterious ways in which the Greenhalgh family of Bolton, Lancashire had operated one of the longest running art frauds spanning almost 18 years. Olive Greenhalgh and her wheelchair-bound husband, George, appeared very much like any other elderly couple. They lived in their council house and went about their day to day lives like most people of their age. But, behind closed doors the unassuming pair was hatching Britain's biggest conspiracy of fake art and antiquities worth millions of pounds.
On the 16th November, 2007, George, his wife Olive and their Son Shaun stood before the judge and confessed to conspiring to defraud museums and private collectors during their eighteen year span and laundering the money that they had made from their criminal acts. Shaun Greenhalgh, 47, the leader, was jailed for four years and eight months, whilst his mum Olive, 82 received a 12 month sentence, suspended for two years for her role in the swindle. After medical tests, George Greenhalgh, 84 received a 12 month suspended sentence mainly due to his age. Much disagreement surrounds this case as many people believe the sentences did not reflect the crime.
The family were said to have millions from their crimes but bank accounts showed that they had made at least £850,000. The police believe that the total may be closer though to two million pounds, yet they only had assets of £404,250, most of which remained untouched in their high street bank account which naturally the judge ordered to be confiscated. So what happened to the rest of the money? The family lived in a modest end terraced council house therefore they did not buy property. When the house was searched they didn’t even own a computer and appeared to be living in relative poverty. They did not travel as it was proved that Olive had never even travelled outside of the Bolton area where she lived. On the whole they were not motivated by money at all it appeared. Was Shaun thus motivated by his frustrated talent as an artist and inspired by ambition? This would appear to be the only reasons but there is still a vast amount of the money raised from these forgeries that is missing. Given this knowledge and that that their sentences did not reflect the magnitude of the crime we are left with an important question amongst many others – Does Crime Really Pay?
50 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 4, 2014
2 people want to read
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