In a dramatic courtroom twist, a builder accused of stealing an authentic Banksy print valued at more than half a million pounds has been found not guilty of theft.
Paul Douglas, 42, was cleared at Highbury Corner Magistrates' Court after convincing the jury he genuinely believed the framed artwork was abandoned rubbish when he removed it from a commercial premises in Islington, north London.
'I Thought It Was Rubbish'
The court heard how Douglas, who was working on a site opposite the property, spotted the artwork leaning against a wall. He testified that he assumed the piece - which turned out to be Banksy's 'Civilian Area' print - was discarded waste.
"I saw it there for a few days and thought it was rubbish waiting to be collected," Douglas told the court. "It was only when I got home that my son looked it up and said it might be valuable."
A High-Value Discovery
The artwork, part of Banksy's limited 'Civilian Area' series, features the elusive artist's signature stencil style and carries an estimated market value between £500,000 and £600,000. The piece had been displayed in the building's common area before going missing.
Prosecutors argued that Douglas must have recognized the piece's value, but the builder maintained his innocence throughout the investigation and trial.
Courtroom Victory
Magistrates ultimately accepted Douglas's account, concluding that the prosecution failed to prove he had dishonest intentions when he took the artwork. The not guilty verdict brings to a close a case that has captured public attention and sparked debate about the value of street art.
The artwork has since been returned to its rightful owner, closing a unusual chapter in London's art world that blurred the lines between discarded rubbish and priceless cultural artifacts.
