Fabergé is a world-renowned luxury jeweller founded in Russia in 1842, famous for its eggs made of gems and precious metals.
Insurers paid out £106,700 for the loss to Dawson’s employers at the Craft Irish Whiskey Company, but Prosecutor Julian Winship said there were only seven Fabergé sets – containing a jewelled egg, watch, whisky bottle, cigars and humidor – in existence.
Conticello’s barrister, Katie Porter-Windley, said he previously worked as a chef but lost his job in the Covid pandemic and slipped into cocaine addiction.
“On the night in question, it was a moment of opportunity which he took, and he is genuinely remorseful for his behaviour,” she said.
Conticello was arrested for separate theft offences in Belfast in November 2025, more than a year after the handbag theft, and was then linked to the 2024 crime.
Porter-Windley told the court Conticello did not realise how valuable the items were that he had stolen.