Man Convicted of Burgling Damien Hirst's Thames Wharf Studio
Liam Middleton-Gomm took £5,000 of items but ignored artworks
Liam Middleton-Gomm. Picture: Facebook
October 19, 2025
A man has pleaded guilty to burgling the Rainville Road studio of artist Damien Hirst, located at the Thames Wharf complex between Hammersmith and Putney bridges. Liam Middleton-Gomm, 36, admitted two counts of burglary at Kingston Crown Court on Friday 17 October, following a break-in at the riverside studio on 30 June.
Middleton-Gomm stole an estimated £5,000 worth of items from the second-floor gallery space, which has long served as one of Hirst’s primary workspaces. The stolen goods included electronic equipment, clothing, and a pram. Among the clothing were unique T-shirts, specially adapted jackets, and jeans designed by Hirst, as well as a set of high-tech speakers. Despite the presence of valuable artworks, none were taken during the burglary.
Some of the stolen items were later recovered from the Fulham home of Middleton-Gomm’s father, Leslie Gomm, 62, who has also pleaded guilty to handling stolen goods between 29 June and 8 July. Court records show that Leslie Gomm has a long criminal history, including 110 prior offences, 72 of which relate to theft or similar crimes. He initially claimed the items had been purchased at a car boot sale but later admitted his involvement.
Thames Wharf Studio on Rainville Road. Picture: Google Streetview
The Thames Wharf Studios, where the burglary occurred, is a mixed-use development comprising architectural offices, creative studios, and residential units. The location’s proximity to the river and its reputation as a hub for high-profile creatives has made it a notable site within the local arts community.
Middleton-Gomm also pleaded guilty to two separate residential burglaries on 9 and 17 July, as well as an attempted burglary on the same day as the first. Both men are due to be sentenced at Kingston Crown Court on 30 October.
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