By SCM Staff Writer I Friday, Oct 31, 2025
LONDON, UK – A DIM-WITTED burglar tried to outrun the law by cutting off his court-issued electronic tag after stealing high-value artwork, including bespoke Damien Hirst jackets.
Liam Middleton-Gomm, 36, got a nasty shock when cops used the GPS data from his ankle monitor to prove he was at the scene of the crime.
The clueless crook, of Cactus Walk, East Acton, was wearing the tag when he broke into an art studio on Rainville Road, Hammersmith, on Monday, June 30.
He swiped a haul of priceless works, including customised jackets designed by world-famous British artist, Damien Hirst.
Realising the high-tech tag would finger him, Middleton-Gomm desperately snapped it off and went on the run.
But it was too late—the GPS data had already logged his every move, placing him right inside the premises at the time of the heist.
Investigators also found photos of some of the stolen gear on the phone of his dad, Leslie Gomm, 61.
The elder Gomm, of Bloom Park Road, Hammersmith, was also making panicked Google searches for “Damien Hirst” and “leather jackets” immediately after the break-in.
Middleton-Gomm was finally collared on August 23 and yesterday pleaded guilty to burglary at Kingston Crown Court.
He was caged for two years and eight months for the smash-and-grab. His father, Leslie Gomm, who admitted handling stolen goods, dodged jail and was given a one-year conditional discharge.
PC Max Aldred, who led the Met’s 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.”
Minister of State for Prisons, Probation and Reducing Reoffending, Lord Timpson, hailed the case as proof of the tag’s success.
He warned: “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.”
