THE final part of a criminal process which at one point put a Thurrock man in the dock for stealing a piece of artwork by renowned graffiti artist Banksy has been concluded.

In September, Thurrock Nub News reported on how North Stifford man James Love, 54, was cleared of involvement in the theft from the Grove Gallery in London.

He claimed, and it was proved, that the theft was carried out by another man he worked with.

That man, Larry Fraser, has now appeared in court and has been jailed for 13 months.

Larry Fraser

The dramatic smash-and-grab burglary of the "Girl with Balloon" 2004 signed print was caught on camera at the Grove Gallery, Fitzrovia on Sunday, 8 September 2024.

The thief used a hammer to force entry through the glass doors and concealed his identity with a mask, gloves and hooded jacket.

But Met Flying Squad officers worked tirelessly to identify the suspect and managed to track him to a location several streets away, where he was revealed to be Fraser. They even caught him on CCTV loading the artwork into a van before fleeing the scene.

The artwork has now been returned to the gallery.

Fraser was arrested on Wednesday, 11 September, at his home address – within 48 hours of the burglary. He was charged the following day.

Officers carried out fast-time covert enquiries and managed to recover the artwork following a warrant served on the Isle of Dogs on Thursday, 12 September.