'Faked' Banksy art trio charged

This genuine Banksy image of Kate Moss sold in 2006 for £57,600

Three people have appeared in court charged with faking artwork by the graffiti artist Banksy.

Grant Howard, 43, from south Croydon, and Lee Parker, 44, from Eastbourne, east Sussex, are charged with conspiracy to defraud.

At City of London Magistrates' Court Vesna Grande-Howard, 32, also of south Croydon, is accused of money laundering.

All three face a charge of possessing articles for use in fraud.

They are accused of forging screen prints purporting to be by controversial 'guerilla artist' Banksy, whose art has sold for hundreds of thousands of pounds.

It is also alleged they manufactured and sold faked Vivienne Westwood clothing.

The accused are due before Southwark Crown Court on 18 August.