Court appearance over 'theft' of £1.2m violin by Euston

The Stradivarius violin is more than 300-years-old.

A man and two teenagers have appeared in court accused of stealing a £1.2m Stradivarius violin from outside a central London railway station.

Classical musician Min-Jin Kym, 32, noticed the instrument was missing when she sat down at a branch of Pret A Manger by Euston station in November.

John Michael Maughan, 30, of no fixed abode, and two boys aged 14 and 16, from Tottenham, north London, appeared at West London Magistrates Court.

The violin was made in 1696.

A £62,000 Peccatte bow also went missing.

British Transport Police said: "Investigating officers are continuing to appeal for information about the whereabouts of the items and there remains a £15,000 reward.

"The chief focus of our investigation remains to get these very precious items returned.

"Although they are extremely valuable, I want to stress that their sell-on value, in monetary terms, is practically nil because they are so unique."

Mr Maughan was remanded in custody while the teenagers were released on court bail.

They will appear next at the same court on 30 December.