A construction worker has been exonerated of burglary charges following the theft of a Banksy print, worth £270,000, from a central London gallery during a daylight break-in.
James Love, 54, from North Stifford in Essex, faced allegations of collaborating with Larry Fraser, who admitted to the burglary before Mr. Love’s trial commenced.
Fraser, 48, was recorded on CCTV breaking the glass front door of the Grove Gallery in Fitzrovia on the morning of September 8 last year, and within just 36 seconds, he made off with a limited-edition piece from the renowned street artist’s Girl With Balloon series.
While Mr. Love was accused of being the escape driver, he asserted that Fraser had manipulated him. On Friday, the 54-year-old was acquitted of burglary at Kingston Crown Court.
The jury learned that Mr. Love had driven to the gallery on the day of the crime, maintained regular communication with Fraser, and aided in hiding the stolen artwork.
CCTV footage presented in court showed Mr. Love assisting Fraser in loading the artwork into a van.
However, Mr. Love testified last week that it was the first occasion he realized the extent of Fraser’s actions.
He expressed his outrage and later left the artwork at a residential complex in the Isle of Dogs, where police ultimately located it with guidance from a map and directions provided by Mr. Love during his initial court appearance.
Mr. Love indicated that he had known Fraser for around 20 years and occasionally employed him for various labor tasks.
Fraser is scheduled to appear at Kingston Crown Court on Thursday, where a sentencing date is likely to be established.
The stolen print was part of an exhibition featuring a £1.5 million collection of 13 Banksy artworks at the Grove Gallery.
