Essex Builder Cleared Over £270,000 Banksy Print Theft in London

James Love, a builder from Essex, was acquitted of burglary charges related to the theft of a £270,000 Banksy print titled "Girl with Balloon" from the Grove Gallery in central London. The print was stolen in a swift 36-second raid, with Larry Fraser captured on CCTV smashing the gallery's glass door and taking the artwork. While prosecutors alleged Love acted as the getaway driver and helped stash the stolen print, Love denied knowing about the burglary beforehand and claimed he was duped by Fraser, a long-time acquaintance. Love admitted to assisting with moving the artwork but later provided police with a map and instructions to recover it from a block of flats on the Isle of Dogs. Fraser pleaded guilty to burglary and is awaiting sentencing. The stolen Banksy print was part of a £1.5 million exhibition of 13 pieces and was recovered by police shortly after the theft.