On this Day 1972: Burglar turned artist Jago Stone

OTD, January 10th 1972…

Lionel Hampden met up with Jago Stone, an artist from Priors Hardwick in Warwickshire, who began painting whilst in prison for burglary.

Jago Stone is seen at his home drawing while providing commentary on his works while talking to Lionel Hampden. Jago also speaks about his life which included spending 18 years in prison and being encouraged during his incarceration to paint by the Governor of Pentonville.

Heading over to nearby Priors Hardwick village centre and the Butchers Arms pub Hampden speaks to the locals and the couple that run the pub about Jago and his creative talents. Some of those Lionel speaks with are critical of Stone and his motivations.

Jago Stone died in 1988, and while his paintings may not have become renowned, he did write ‘The Burglar’s Bedside Companion’ in 1975 recalling some of his real-life adventures which suggested he may have been very much the kind of fella Norman Stanley Fletcher from BBC sitcom Porridge would have got on well with.