Art News

"Tome Raider" Antique Book Thief Jailed Again

LONDON (REUTERS).- A Cambridge University graduate nicknamed the “Tome Raider,” who has stolen more than one million pounds’ worth of rare books in his criminal career, has been jailed for 3-1/2 years for his latest theft. William Jacques, 41, stole antique books worth 40,000 pounds ($60,750) from the Royal Horticultural Society’s Lindley Library in London, a court heard. He is accused of having taken the books some time between June 2004 — when an audit of the volumes was last undertaken — and March 2007, the Press Association reported. The library holds books, journals, pictures and art on practical gardening, garden history, plants and design dating back to 1514. Jacques used a false name to sign into the Lindley library before stuffing the books under his jacket and fleeing, Southwark Crown Court was told. Recorder Michael Holland told Jacques: “You have absolutely no intention of turning away from what seems to you to be an extremely lucrative and easy crime.” Such crimes