Liam Middleton-Gomm Jailed for Damien Hirst Hammersmith Burglary

Key Points

• Liam Middleton-Gomm broke into Damien Hirst’s art studio at Thames Wharf Studios, Hammersmith, in June and stole over £5,000 worth of goods.
• Stolen items included customised leather jackets, trousers, embroidered shirts, and a Dior pram adorned with silver skulls.
• Middleton-Gomm removed his court-issued GPS tracking tag to evade capture after the burglary.
• Photographs of stolen items were found on Leslie Gomm’s phone; he also searched online for related terms soon after the crime.
• Leslie Gomm, father of Liam Middleton-Gomm, pleaded guilty to handling stolen goods.
• Liam Middleton-Gomm was sentenced to 2 years and 8 months imprisonment; Leslie Gomm received a one-year conditional discharge.
• Evidence included DNA and GPS data linking Liam Middleton-Gomm to the crime scene.
• The investigation was led by PC Max Aldred of the Metropolitan Police.

What Happened in the Burglary at Damien Hirst’s Art Studio?

As reported by journalist David Brown of the Evening Standard, Liam Middleton-Gomm forced entry into a premises on Rainville Road, fulham/hammersmith/">Hammersmith, in June 2025. The studio, part of the Thames Wharf Studios complex, houses artworks by the celebrated British artist Damien Hirst. Middleton-Gomm stole several high-value items, including leather jackets being customised by Hirst, embroidered shirts, trousers, and a luxury Dior pram decorated with silver skulls on its wheels.

The stolen goods were valued at over £5,000. Some of the items were sold subsequently, although the full extent of recovery remains unclear.

How Did the Police Link Liam Middleton-Gomm to the Crime?

According to Alistair Jefferson of The Guardian, key evidence came from the GPS tracking tag that Middleton-Gomm was wearing at the time of the break-in. Despite removing the tag after becoming aware police were tracking him, the GPS data had already placed him at the scene of the crime.

Furthermore, DNA evidence recovered from the premises matched Middleton-Gomm. The convergence of DNA confirmation and GPS location data was crucial in securing the case against him at Kingston Crown Court.

What Role Did Leslie Gomm Play in the Case?

Journalist Sarah Collins of The Telegraph outlined how Leslie Gomm, aged 62 and based in Fulham, west London, was implicated after investigators found photographs of stolen items on his phone. Additionally, Leslie conducted internet searches shortly after the burglary for terms such as ‘Damien Hirst’ and ‘leather jackets’.

Leslie Gomm subsequently admitted to handling stolen goods that belonged to his son. At sentencing, he was issued a one-year conditional discharge by Kingston Crown Court, signalling a non-custodial punishment with conditions attached.

What Sentences Were Delivered by Kingston Crown Court?

On Thursday, 30 October 2025, as reported by Liam Hughes of BBC News London, Liam Middleton-Gomm received a custodial sentence of two years and eight months for burglary. His father, Leslie Gomm, avoided prison but faced a one-year conditional discharge for his involvement in handling stolen goods.

PC Max Aldred, who led the investigation for the Metropolitan Police, emphasised the importance of the GPS court tag in apprehending Middleton-Gomm. He told Sky News:

“As soon as Liam Middleton-Gomm knew police were looking for him, he cut off his tag and went on the run – he knew officers would be able to pin him to the location of the crime.”

PC Aldred also praised the collaboration between the police and the Ministry of Justice, highlighting the data-sharing agreement’s vital role:

“It means that criminal suspects are more likely to be identified – and now have even fewer places to run to.”

How Has This Case Highlighted Technology’s Role in Crime Detection and Prevention?

This case underscores how modern technology, such as GPS monitoring and DNA analysis, can be pivotal in solving crimes. The GPS tag, typically used to monitor offenders under court orders, tracked Middleton-Gomm’s movements until he cut it off, but not before providing evidence of his presence at the crime scene.

Furthermore, digital forensic analysis, including phone data retrieval and internet search histories, linked Leslie Gomm to the stolen goods, exposing his role in the crime.

What Is Known About the Stolen Goods and Their Fate?

The stolen items included certain bespoke leather jackets being embellished by Damien Hirst, trousers, embroidered shirts, and a very distinctive Dior pram featuring silver skulls. The exact number of items stolen remains undisclosed, but the combined value exceeded £5,000.

Some of these goods were sold, but authorities have not yet recovered all the stolen property, pointing to ongoing investigations on asset recovery.