PA MediaA 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.
Jurors at Kingston Crown Court were shown footage on Wednesday of Mr Love’s van pulling up near the gallery shortly after the break-in.
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.
He told the court: “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 MediaMr 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.
Mr Love, a builder, told jurors he had known Fraser for about 20 years and would occasionally hire him for labouring jobs.
Mr Love, who is known to have a collection of heart-themed artwork, told the court he was “not particularly” a fan of Banksy and that he knew little about the street artist.
The defendant, of North Stifford, Grays, Essex, denies burglary and the trial continues.