During a court session, it was revealed that a Banksy print valued at £270,000 was stolen from a central London gallery in just over half a minute.

Larry Fraser, 48, has admitted to the charge of burglary, according to jury members at Kingston Crown Court. Meanwhile, 54-year-old James Love is set to face trial concerning the theft.

Fraser broke the glass front door of the Grove Gallery in Fitzrovia at approximately 11:00 PM BST on September 8, 2024, entered the venue, and made off with a limited edition print featuring the street artist’s iconic Girl with Balloon design.

James Ryan, the gallery owner, noted that surveillance footage captured a masked individual breaking in and exiting with the artwork within a span of 36 seconds.

Prosecutors claim that Mr. Love, known for a large collection of love-themed artworks, drove to the gallery on the morning of the burglary and assisted in securing the stolen print afterwards.

Additionally, the prosecution argues that Mr. Love maintained frequent communication with Fraser on the day of the crime.

Thirteen original Banksy pieces, some of which were signed, were chosen for display at the Grove Gallery, the court was informed.

Mr. Ryan stated that the artwork was initially printed in 2004 and comprises a limited edition of 150, with the stolen piece being number 72.

“It belonged to a private collector and is estimated to be worth £270,000,” he explained.

Following the theft, Fraser brought the Banksy print to a nearby location where he left it, according to testimony presented to the jury.

Sukhvinder Singh, a night guard at that property, recounted his astonishment when two men forcefully entered the building late on September 8.

With the help of a Punjabi interpreter, Mr. Singh recounted noticing a painting in the restroom that hadn’t been there earlier that evening, describing it as a depiction of a “doll” “flying something akin to a kite.”

He recalled, “After spotting the painting, I heard some commotion on the other side of the front door. Someone was trying to insert a white plastic piece to unlock it.”

When Mr. Singh opened the door, he encountered a white man and a black man.

“I was very taken aback,” he stated. “They shoved me aside and entered. I attempted to question them in Punjabi, asking, ‘Who are you?’”

He noted they headed directly to the bathroom, grabbed the painting, and exited swiftly.

“The white man kept apologizing, saying, ‘Sorry, brother, sorry,’ in English,” Mr. Singh reported.

“I asked them why they barged in and how they managed to get inside.”

According to him, the men were in a frantic rush and spent no longer than two to three minutes inside, quickly taking the artwork and leaving. “The only thing they said was ‘sorry.’”

Love, residing in North Stifford, Grays, Essex, pleads not guilty to burglary, and the trial is ongoing.