Former footballer facing jail after trying to sell stolen £1.9m vase
A former West Ham youth star faces prison after trying to cash in on a vase believed to be worth £1.9million that was stolen from a museum.
Ex-Hammers academy ace Kaine Wright, 26, was busted by the police along with Leslie Nkhwa, 47, and David Lamming, 31. The vase in question was a 14th-century Chinese vase that was stolen from the Swiss Musee des Arts d'Extreme-Orient back in 2019. One year later, British police caught the culprits by setting a trap when the gang involved tried to get it valued.
Southwark crown court was told how those involved had initially tried to cash in on the vase for £1million, but later agreed to sell it for £450,000. They were also told that Nkhwa was arrested at London's Marriott hotel first before Wright and Lamming were caught later on. Nkhwa and Wright were convicted of conspiracy to convert criminal property despite denying the charge before Lamming later admitted the charge.
All three are due for sentencing in October. A number of meetings took place between Lamming and one of the undercover officers involved in the sting, including one at Delfino's Restaurant in Mayfair on October 7.
The pair "shook hands" on a deal for £450,000 and agreed the exchange would take place at the five-star Marriott Hotel six days later, which was where the police made the first arrest.
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Wright has admitted he drove to the hotel Nkhwa was arrested at, but while giving evidence told the court that he had been approached by him and asked if he could help flog the vase.
The Pomegranate vase from Yongle Period (1403-1425AD) that was stolen in 2019
Kaine Wright leaving a London police station (Humphrey Nemar.)Wright explained: "I said no. Most of my friends are sportsmen, they play for England. No one knows what to do for a vase. I suggested he should list it online. I think it was on behalf of someone else."
When he was younger, Wright played for the likes of West Ham and Brentford at youth level as a midfielder. Following his stints at the two Premier League clubs, he made the trip across the pond to try his hand in the MLS. In 2019, he represented England in the Socca six-a-side World Cup.
Two years prior, he even showcased his skills in front of Brazil icon and former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain ace Neymar in the footballer’s Five World Finals competition, where he finished runner-up.
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