A man accused of stealing an original 'Banksy' anti-war street art piece - depicting three drones on a traffic 'STOP' sign - has appeared in court for the first time.
Leon Lawrence, 45, from Southwark in south London, pleaded not guilty and elected for a 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.
