Man denies being getaway driver in Banksy theft

"The prosecution alleges Mr Love drove to the gallery on the morning of the burglary and helped store the print after it was stolen. The video showed Fraser with the Banksy before Mr Love helped him into the vehicle. Mr Love told jurors this was the first time he realised what Fraser had done, and asked him what he was carrying. He told the court Fraser said he "had to do it" as he owed money. He denied acting as Fraser's getaway driver."

"I don't know, I wasn't thinking right - all I was thinking about was family, I'm going to get in trouble, cameras, I wasn't thinking. "When we drove off I started shouting, abusing Fraser. He said he needs it, he owes a large drug debt. "I said, 'you've used me'." PA Media Mr Love said he was furious but later left the picture at a block of flats in the Isle of Dogs. "I decided to put the picture there, so Fraser couldn't get his hands on it, and hopefully get it back to where it belongs," he said. Police eventually found the artwork after Mr Love gave them a map and instructions at his first court appearance."

"A builder accused of helping to steal a 270,000 Banksy print from a central London gallery said he did not realise what the man who has admitted stealing the artwork was doing. James Love, 54, is on trial for burglary after a limited edition Girl With Balloon print was taken from the Grove Gallery in central London on 8 September 2024. Larry Fraser, 48, has admitted smashing the gallery's glass door and stealing the picture."

James Love, 54, is on trial for burglary after a limited edition Girl With Balloon print was taken from the Grove Gallery in central London on 8 September 2024. Larry Fraser, 48, has admitted smashing the gallery's glass door and stealing the picture. Prosecutors allege Love drove to the gallery the morning of the burglary, helped load and store the print, and was captured on video assisting Fraser into a van. Love says he only realised what Fraser had done when he asked what Fraser was carrying, that Fraser told him he "had to do it" because of debts, and that Love later left the picture at a block of flats and provided police with a map and instructions leading to its recovery. Love said he had known Fraser for about 20 years, occasionally hired him for jobs, collects heart-themed art, and is not a particular Banksy fan.

Read at www.bbc.com