Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Independent UK
The Independent UK
National
Peter Stubley

Musician reunited with £250,000 violin 'stolen' from train

The 18th century instrument featured on Harry Potter and James Bond film scores ( Walton/YouTube )

An antique violin worth £250,000 which was stolen from a train luggage rack, has been reunited with its owner.

Stephen Morris forgot to pick up the 18th century instrument when he got off at Penge East station in south London last month.

British Transport Police said it was taken by another man who left the train four stops later and released a CCTV image of the suspect.

But on Saturday night Mr Morris confirmed that the violin had been returned and thanked the public for their support.

“My violin is home safe and sound!,” the 51-year-old musician tweeted, before posting a picture of himself kissing the 310-year-old instrument.

He told the BBC that he negotiated the return of the violin after receiving a message on Twitter from a man calling himself “Gene”.

“He was very apologetic, he said he wanted to hand it to me in person,” said Mr Morris.

Musician Stephen Morris, 51, left his £250,000 violin made in 1709 by David Tecchler on a train between London Victoria and Penge East on 22 October 2019. Image shows the violin during restoration and Tecchler’s label inside. (Stephen Morris)

BTP officers watched as the two men completed the handover at a Waitrose car park near Beckenham train station on Friday night.

“It couldn’t have ended in a happier way,” Mr Morris said.

No further action is being taken against the man, as he contacted Mr Morris and handed the violin back.

The violin is believed to be one of only a few made by David Tecchler, whose name is marked inside, in Rome in 1709.

Mr Morris, who has been a violinist for 44 years, played the instrument on Harry Potter and James Bond film scores.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.