Two in court charged with stealing £95,000 Banksy print

Two men have appeared at Belfast Magistrates’ Court accused of stealing a £95,000 signed piece of Banksy artwork from a gallery in Belfast city centre.

Adil Hajjaj, 49, of Sandymount Street in Belfast and Ahmed Bouazzi, 39, of Roden Street in Belfast allegedly took the limited edition print of the street artist’s iconic ‘Laugh Now’ image.

They are both charged with carrying out the theft from the gallery at Lanyon Quay on Wednesday.

Mr Hajjaj was refused bail due to a risk of re-offending, whereas Mr Bouazzi was granted bail under a prohibition on entering the gallery.

A police officer told the court that Mr Bouazzi went into the premises first and struck up a conversation with a lone employee.

Mr Hajjaj is said to have entered a minute later carrying a large shopping bag.

“Bouazzi continued to speak with the staff member while Hajjaj went to the rear of the gallery and placed a piece in the bag,” a police officer alleged.

“This was a limited edition Banksy print of ‘Laugh Now’, signed by Banksy and valued at £95,000.”

Both men then exited the gallery and walked away from the scene, the court heard.

Based on descriptions of the suspects, officers detained the two defendants on the Ormeau Road about 20 minutes later.

The artwork was seized from a bag being carried by Mr Bouazzi, according to police.

Defence solicitor for Mr Hajjaj told the court his client did not realise the value of the artwork he is alleged to have stolen.

“Something like that would be too hot to handle, it would not be easy to get it sold on the black market,” he said.

Refusing bail due to the “totally unmanageable” risk of re-offending, District Judge Steven Keown remanded Mr Hajjaj in custody until 2 May .