A man has been charged with theft after a rare £150,000 violin was allegedly stolen from a north London pub.
Ahmed Sami Madour, 46, is accused of taking the antique instrument from violinist David Ibanez’s side as he dined with a friend at the Marquess Tavern in Canonbury Street. The violin, crafted in Florence in 1740, had been loaned to Mr Ibanez for his Philharmonia Orchestra performances.
Madour, of no fixed address but from Leytonstone, east London, faces two counts of theft. He is alleged to have stolen Mr Ibanez’s violin on 18 February last year, and a £4,000 guitar on the same day in Hackney.
The Metropolitan Police said on Monday that Madour was charged on January 19, and appeared at Snaresbrook Crown Court last week when his trial was set for May 10 2027.
Court records show Madour was released on unconditional bail until trial, after entering not guilty pleas to both counts of theft.
“The theft of a violin, valued at £150,000, was reported to the Met on Tuesday February 18 2025”, said Scotland Yard.
“It was stolen from the Marquess Tavern, Islington.
“Madour was arrested on Wednesday June 25 on suspicion of theft.
“He was taken into police custody and later released on bail pending further inquiries.”
At the time of the alleged theft of the violin, Pc Michael Collins, from the Met’s local policing team in Camden, issued an appeal for information.
“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,” he said.
“It is incredibly precious, and for the victim, it’s priceless.”
