Banksy Art Thief Sentenced for Audacious London Gallery Heist
A 49-year-old man has been handed a 13-month prison sentence for stealing Banksy's celebrated artwork, Girl With Balloon, from a London gallery in a brazen late-night burglary. Larry Fraser, from Beckton in east London, used a hammer to smash through the glass entrance door of the Grove Gallery on New Cavendish Street before making off with the prized print, valued at an impressive £270,000.
The Night of the Crime and Swift Investigation
The theft occurred at approximately 11pm on 8 September last year. Fraser, who concealed his identity with a mask, hooded jacket, and gloves, was captured on CCTV loading the stolen artwork into a van before fleeing the scene. Despite his attempts to evade detection, the Metropolitan Police's Flying Squad quickly identified him and tracked him to a location just streets away.
Fraser was arrested at his home address on 10 September, within 48 hours of the burglary, and was charged the following day. In a significant victory for the investigation, officers executed a warrant on the Isle of Dogs and successfully recovered the Banksy print, which has since been returned to the gallery.
Court Proceedings and Sentencing
At Kingston Crown Court, Fraser pleaded guilty to one count of non-residential burglary on 9 October. During proceedings, his defence claimed he was acting under pressure due to a historic drug debt and stated he was unaware of what he was stealing or its value until the day of the offence.
However, Judge Anne Brown was unmoved, describing the burglary as "brazen and serious" and stating the offence was simply too severe for a suspended sentence. She noted that while Fraser may not have known the precise value, he "obviously understood it to be very valuable." Fraser was sentenced on Friday, 14 November 2025.
A second man, 54-year-old James Love, was accused of acting as the getaway driver but was cleared of involvement in stealing the print.
Aftermath and Gallery Relief
Detective Chief Inspector Scott Mather, who led the investigation, praised the "tireless work" of his team, highlighting that it took just four days to bring Fraser to justice and restore the artwork. Gallery manager Lindor Mehmetaj expressed his shock and relief, describing the "remarkable" recovery of the piece and the immense weight lifted from his shoulders. The stolen artwork was part of a £1.5 million collection of 13 Banksy pieces exhibited at the gallery.
