[MSN] Gold Coast man to stand trial over art theft

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Gold Coast man to stand trial over art theft 

10.06.2006 

BCharges relate to paintings stolen from art restorer's Limpinwood home JOHN
OPIT: Art restorer says that among the paintings stolen were works by Paul
Cezanne and Arthur Streeton.THE man accused of stealing paintings said to be
worth more than $60 million has been committed for trial. 

Alleged art thief Brett Michael Williams appeared in Lismore Local Court
yesterday. 

The Gold Coast resident was committed to the Lismore District Court on two
counts of breaking and entering to commit a serious indictable offence by
stealing items valued at more than $15,000. 

It is alleged Williams stole the paintings and other items from the home of
Limpinwood art restorer John Opit in February, 2004. 

Mr Opit's home is on a property near Murwillumbah and it is alleged other
items were also stolen, including a cast-iron book press and a jar of empty
matchboxes. 

Mr Opit claims the paintings included a perviously unknown work by French
impressionist Paul Cezanne. 

He also says that among the 26 stolen paintings were works by Arthur
Streeton, Norman Lindsay and Winslow Homer. 

Mr Opit estimates the total value of his stolen paintings, which were later
recovered in a suburban garage on the Gold Coast, at $67 million. 

However, in March last year, police sided with experts, telling media they
believed the paintings were fake and only worth a fraction of the price tag
Mr Opit had put on them. 

Mr Opit has continued to argue with art experts over the authenticity of the
works. 

Yesterday, Mr Opit attended Lismore Local Court to witness Williams being
committed for trial to answer the charges against him. 

http://www.northernstar.com.au/