Introduction to the Theft
A Banksy print worth £270,000 was stolen from a Central London gallery in just over 30 seconds. The thief, Larry Fraser, 48, has pleaded guilty to the break-in. However, James Love, 54, is on trial for his alleged involvement in the theft.
The Break-In
On September 8, 2024, around 11:00 p.m., Fraser smashed the door of the Grove Gallery in Fitzrovia, entered, and stole a limited edition print of Banksy’s "Girl with Balloon" series. The gallery’s owner, James Ryan, reported that CCTV footage showed that only 36 seconds passed between the masked man breaking in and leaving.
Allegations Against James Love
The prosecution claims that Mr. Love, who has a large number of pictures with a love heart motif, drove to the gallery on the morning of the theft and helped to dispose of the stolen artwork. It is also alleged that Mr. Love was in regular contact with Fraser on the day of the theft.
The Stolen Artwork
The stolen print was one of 13 original Banksy works of art on display at the Grove Gallery, some of which were signed. The print, numbered 72, was first printed in 2004 and was valued at £270,000. It belonged to a private collector.
After the Theft
After leaving the gallery, Fraser took the Banksy print to a nearby property, where he left the artwork. A night watchman, Sukhvinder Singh, reported that he was pushed aside by two men at the end of September. He noticed a painting in a toilet that was not there earlier and described it as a "doll" that "flew like a kite."
The Night Watchman’s Account
Mr. Singh told the court that he heard a noise on the other side of the door and saw someone trying to insert a white plastic piece into the door to open it. When he opened the door, he found a white man and a black man, who pushed him out of the way and went into the bathroom to retrieve the painting. The only thing the white man said was "Sorry, sorry, brother, sorry sorry" in English.
The Trial Continues
James Love denies any involvement in the break-in and the trial continues. The prosecution will present further evidence to prove Mr. Love’s alleged role in the theft of the valuable Banksy print.
