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Builder from south Essex accused of Banksy theft ‘wanted it for own collection’
James Love denies burglary charges in the theft of a £270,000 Banksy print, which was recovered after he disclosed its location to police following his arrest.
- James Love, a 54-year-old builder from North Stifford, was taken into custody on September 10, 2024, in connection with the theft of a Banksy artwork in central London.
- The case began on September 8, 2024, when Love drove a van to the Fitzrovia-based Grove Gallery where Larry Fraser, 48, smashed the glass door and stole a limited edition Banksy print valued at £270,000.
- Jurors heard that Love and Fraser were seen near the gallery, spoke multiple times by phone that day, pushed past a night watchman, hid the artwork twice, and then Love unloaded it at an Isle of Dogs property.
- Prosecutor Philip Stott noted Love’s home featured about four pictures with love hearts, saying this Banksy print is consistent with those, and that Love transferred £200 to Fraser on the day of the theft despite Fraser’s impoverished status.
- Love denies burglary and the trial continues, while police recovered the artwork from a cupboard under a dust sheet after Love produced a hand-drawn plan indicating its location.
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Thurrock GazetteReposted by 
The Echo UK
The Echo UKBuilder from south Essex accused of Banksy theft ‘wanted it for own collection’
A builder accused of stealing a £270,000 Girl with Balloon Banksy print wanted to add the work to his existing collection of artworok, jurors were told
·Essex, United Kingdom
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Builder stole heart-themed £250,000 Banksy print to add to his home gallery of paintings linked to his surname Love, court hears
James Love, 55, helped steal the iconic image by acting as the getaway driver following the theft of the signed artwork from the Grove Gallery in Fitzrovia, central London on September 8 last year.
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Total News Sources11
Leaning Left2Leaning Right0Center7Last UpdatedBias Distribution78% Center
Bias Distribution
- 78% of the sources are Center
78% Center
L 22%
C 78%
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