Trial for man accused of stealing antique books

A 40-year-old man will go on trial today accused of stealing valuable antique books from a world-famous library.

William Jacques is charged with stealing 13 volumes of Nouvelle Iconographies des Camellias by Ambroise Verschaffelt from the Royal Horticultural Society's London library.

Jacques, who was arrested on Christmas Day in Selby, North Yorkshire, denies stealing the books between December 10 2006 and March 15 2007.

He also denies going equipped with a Senate House library card to commit theft.

Jacques, of no fixed address, is on remand in custody and will go on trial at London's Southwark Crown Court.

The volumes contained an array of coloured plates of camellias by the 19th-century Belgian author and explanatory text.

The Royal Horticultural Society's Lindley Library, in Vincent Square, central London, is among the best in the world.

It holds books, journals, pictures and art on practical gardening, garden history, garden plants and design dating back to 1514.