Men deny involvement in £1.7m Bulmers cider family art heist

A group of 11 men charged with varying roles in the theft of £1.7 million worth of artwork from the family that founded cider giant Bulmers will face trial in June, having all plead not guilty.

Endymion by 19th century English painter George Frederic Watts was among the artworks stolen

The home of Esmond and Susie Bulmer, who are descendants of the Bulmers Hereford-based cider-making family, was raided by thieves in 2009, with the couple’s  housekeeper was tied to bannisters as the gang made off with £1.7 million of paintings and £1 million of antique jewellery.

Among the 15 painting that were stolen from the palatial Somerset home was the famous Endymion by 19th century English painter George Frederic Watts and Apple Blossom by early 20th century English artist Sir George Clausen. All the paintings have since been been recovered, except for Sir John Lavery’s After Glow Taplow.

On Wednesday 11 men from the London and West Midlands areas appeared at Bristol Crown Court to deny all charges levied at them, as reported by the BBC, including conspiracy to burgle and conspiracy to receive stolen goods. An warrant has been issued for a 12th man, who failed to attend the court and is believed to have fled the country.

All 11 defendants will face trial on June 4 at Bristol Crown Court in connection with the Bulmers burglary.

Bulmers was founded in 1887 by Percy Bulmer, the 20-year-old son of a local Hereford clergyman. Esmond Bulmer and his family made £84 million when they sold their stake in the company to Scottish & Newcastle plc in 2003. Today it is owned by Heineken with its two principal brands being Strongbow and Bulmers cider, which is distributed worldwide.