Leon Lawrence, 45, of Maiden Lane, Southwark pleaded not guilty and elected Crown Court trial.
He is charged with stealing a STOP sign of value ‘unknown’ belonging to the London Borough of Southwark on December 22, 2023.
Prosecutor Nathan Paine-Davey told Croydon Magistrates’ Court: “This is suitable to be tried here. It is one matter of theft of a STOP sign, belonging to Southwark Council.
“The fact it is said to have been painted by ‘Banksy’ is irrelevant to the offence, apart from saying that perhaps that makes it more valuable.
“The police say bolt cutters were used to remove the STOP sign and it was taken away.
“The artist confirmed on instagram it was his work.
“As a STOP sign the value is nominal, but as an artwork it may be something else.”
A shocked crowd gathered on the junction of Commercial Way and Southampton Way, Peckham at just after 12.00pm on December 22, 2023 as they watched a male, standing on a Lime white bike, remove the sign.
Less than an hour before the elusive artist had confirmed on his official instagram account the drones were his artwork.
Lawrence was released on unconditional bail to appear at Inner London Crown Court on September 3.
No comments:
Post a Comment