Artful Codgers Channel 4 tonight - Not to be missed

Artful Codgers - Channel 4 Thursday 15 May 2008 9pm

Not to be missed , the Greenhalgh Gang, 84-year-old George Greenhalgh, his wife ,83 year old Olive and embittered wannabe artist son Shaun, 47.

An everyday story of Bowton folk, claiming benefits in a council house with tales of cleverly constructed histories for grand art fakes sold to museums, galleries and collectors all over the world.

All three admitted to defrauding art institutions between 1989 and 2006, and pleaded guilty to conspiracy to conceal and transfer £410,392. Bolton Council, which paid £440,000 for the so-called Egyptian alabaster Amarna Princess a daughter of the Pharaoh Akhenaten, (pic) are supposed to be getting their money back. Stephanie Crossley, Bolton Council's culture spokeswoman, said the authority was pleased the long-running case had been concluded.

Sean got 4 years 8 months, his brother George Greenhalgh Junior, was given a six-month suspended sentence for receiving £10,000 from the sale of one of the fakes. Mother got 12 months suspended.

There were paintings by LS Lowry, (which should have deceived no one) a long-lost Barbara Hepworth sculpture, 19th-century American landscapes, a Thomas Jefferson bust, ancient Celtic jewellery, Roman silver plate and Assyrian reliefs dating from 700BC.

See - Saturday, April 21, 2007 Queen's scantily clad daughter in Lottery scandal - amazing pictures !! and Thursday, December 13, 2007 The Greenhalgh Gang - how Sotheby's was fooled