Man from Acton Jailed Over Damien Hirst Studio Burglary
Liam Middleton-Gomm was wearing an electronic tag at time of theft
Liam Middleton-Gomm and one of the branded items he stole. Picture: Met Police
November 3, 2025
An East Acton resident has been sentenced to prison following a high-profile burglary at a gallery space used by artist Damien Hirst. Liam Middleton-Gomm, 36, of Cactus Walk, East Acton, was jailed for two years and eight months at Kingston Crown Court on 30 October after pleading guilty to burglary and multiple other offences.
The break-in occurred on 30 June and targeted a second-floor studio near Hammersmith Bridge. Middleton-Gomm stole electronic equipment, a pram, and a selection of customised clothing designed by Hirst—including unique T-shirts, jackets, and jeans. High-tech speakers were also taken, though no artworks were reported missing.
Middleton-Gomm’s arrest was aided by GPS data from a court-issued electronic tag, which placed him at the scene. He later removed the device and fled to his father’s home in Fulham. Investigators recovered photographs of the stolen items on Leslie Gomm’s phone and found that he had searched online for “Damien Hirst” and “leather jackets” shortly after the burglary. Some of the stolen goods were recovered from his property.
Leslie Gomm, 61, of Bloom Park Road, Fulham, received a one-year conditional discharge for handling stolen goods. Court records show he has 110 prior offences, 72 of which relate to theft or similar crimes.
Middleton-Gomm also admitted to two additional residential burglaries and one attempted burglary committed in July. His sentencing marks a significant outcome for police efforts to track repeat offenders using electronic monitoring.
PC Max Aldred, who led the investigation, said, “As soon as Liam Middleton-Gomm knew police were looking for him, he cut off his tag and went on the run – he knew officers would be able to pin him to the location of the crime.”
The case has drawn attention to the use of GPS tagging in offender management. Minister of State for Prisons, Probation and Reducing Reoffending, Lord Timpson, commented, “Our GPS tags send a clear message to offenders—if you break the law, we’ll know where you’ve been and justice will come for you.”
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