UK man denies charge of stealing Shakespeare book

Raymond Scott, right, a British book dealer charged with stealing a rare First Folio of Shakespeare's plays from a university library, and Claire Smith, left, pose outside Consett Magistrates' Court in County Durham, northern England, on Tuesday. Scott, 51, arrived for the brief hearing in a chauffeur-driven silver stretch limo, dressed almost entirely in white and holding a cigar and an opened cup of instant noodles. He read aloud from Shakespeare's "Richard III" before entering the court. Photo: AP.

A British antiques dealer has pleaded not guilty to stealing a rare first edition of the orks of William Shakespeare.

Raymond Scott appeared on Friday in a court in Newcastle in northeastern England. He is charged with theft, handling stolen goods and removing criminal property. His trial was set for June.

The 53—year—old Scott is accused of taking the rare volume from Durham University in 1998. His arrest came after a man took the edition to the Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, claiming he had found it in Cuba.

Scott, who arrived at a previous court hearing in a horse—drawn carriage, appeared on Friday in military fatigues and an expensive pair of Tiffany sunglasses.