Mystery of missing Rolf Harris art leads to court case

The disappearance of a picture worth £100,000 which was painted by Rolf Harris has led to a case at the Court of Appeal.

The painting - titled Lovers on the Seine - was bought by collector Dean Hardy at a gallery in 2004.

Mr Hardy left it in storage at the gallery's warehouse in Warwick. 

It was later discovered missing, and after Mr Hardy passed away a year later, his family launched a court case against the gallery.

The firm was ordered to repay £135,000 - the painting's value plus interest and legal costs.

"This is a case where Washington Green (the gallery) have dishonestly appropriated this particular painting," the judge said.

But in a twist of events on Monday, the gallery has challenged the Court of Appeal to prove what happened to the picture, saying there was no evidence that they had taken it.

A ruling is expected later this year.