Two men appeared at Kingston Crown Court on Wednesday, 9 October, in connection with the theft of famous Banksy painting 'Girl with Balloon' from Grove Gallery on New Cavendish Street, London, on 8 September.

The artwork, which had been valued at £270,000, was soon recovered by the Met Police's Flying Squad.

Larry Fraser, aged 47, from Beckton, east London pleaded guilty to non-residential burglary in relation to the theft of the he limited edition and signed print of the Banksy painting.

Fraser's defence barrister, Jeffrey Israel, told the court he "owed money to others due to a historic drug debt he was struggling to settle."

James Love, 54, from North Stifford, near Brentford, was also charged with the same offence but denied the charge.

He is due to go on trial at the same court on 15 September next year.

Fraser's sentencing has been adjourned until after the trial.

The painting was part of an unofficial exhibition of the artist called Breakout: Banksy's London Rebellion, that featured multiple pieces of work from the artist which had a total value of £1.8m.

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