Palace art man in court

A former royal porter facing three charges of theft from Buckingham Palace, including a painting said to be worth pounds 350,000, was granted bail by magistrates yesterday.

Duncan Gray 22, unemployed, of Hastings, East Sussex, was remanded on bail until 11 May when he appeared at Bow Street magistrates' court in central London.

Mr Gray is charged with stealing a 17th century oil painting by the Dutch artist Adriaen Van Ostade, cutlery worth pounds 150, and a 19th century rose bowl worth pounds 3,000.