Builder cleared of burglary in Banksy art raid
Essex builder absolved as accomplice awaits sentencing over central London Banksy print theft
A builder has been cleared of burglary in connection with a daytime raid on the Grove Gallery in Fitzrovia, central London, that targeted a Banksy print valued at £270,000. James Love, 54, of North Stifford in Essex, was accused of acting as the getaway driver for Larry Fraser, who pleaded guilty to burglary ahead of Love's trial. The limited-edition print from Banksy's Girl With Balloon series was recovered by police after the 8 September theft as part of a £1.5 million display of 13 works at the Grove Gallery.
Jurors heard that Love drove to the gallery on the morning of the burglary and was in regular contact with Fraser that day. CCTV showed Love helping Fraser into a van with the artwork, but Love told the court he had not realised what Fraser had done. He said he was furious at being used and later left the artwork at a block of flats in the Isle of Dogs, where police eventually found it using a map and instructions plus the evidence Love gave at his first court appearance. The Kingston Crown Court cleared Love of burglary on Friday.
Fraser, 48, had admitted smashing the gallery door and taking the print. He is due to appear at Kingston Crown Court on Thursday, when a date for his sentencing is expected to be fixed.
The print had been part of an exhibition displaying a £1.5 million collection of 13 Banksy pieces at the Grove Gallery. The case underscores the vulnerability of high-value street art and the role of surveillance footage and recovered evidence in investigations.
Love said he had known Fraser for about 20 years and would occasionally hire him for labouring jobs. He told the court he did not know the plan would involve a burglary and regretted his involvement. The court's decision leaves Fraser to face sentencing in the near future.
