Thief in Harry Potter book switch

An Italian bookseller who stole a signed Harry Potter edition worth £1,675 in a “professional, targeted operation” has avoided jail.

Rudolf Schonegger, 55, snatched the rare copy of Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire, signed by author JK Rowling, at Hatchards in Piccadilly, central London, on New Year’s Eve. CCTV showed him browsing the shop before making an audacious switch with another novel while a staff member had her back turned. A copy of Late Call by Angus Wilson was found in the place of the Potter book.

Schonegger was found guilty of theft and two charges of handling stolen goods following a trial at Hendon Magistrates’ Court last week.

During yesterday’s hearing at Westminster Magistrates’ Court, the defendant was given a 26-week custodial sentence for the theft.

He was ordered to pay Hatchards £1,675. Schonegger must also pay booksellers Peter Ellis and Peter Harrington, who bought the stolen goods, a total of £410 for money lost.

Prosecutor Robert Simpson said: “It would seem this was a fully professional, targeted operation.”