Bookseller on trial for stealing rare Harry Potter book convicted!

Italian bookseller on trial for stealing a rare edition of Harry Potter has since been convicted.

We brought you the news earlier in the week that Italian bookseller, Rudolf Schonegger, was currently on trial for stealing a rare first edition of Harry Potter.

Since then Schonegger has been convicted. The book in question was a rare, first edition copy of “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire,” and it had even been signed by J.K. Rowling herself.

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Stolen from Hatchards in Piccadilly London on New Year’s Eve, the book was worth £1,675 ($2,369). CCTV footage showed Mr Schonegger browsing the store and inquiring about the Harry Potter book before later stealing it from the shelves by swapping it with another book of much less value.

He is still to be sentenced; a date of April 3 has been set at the Westminster Magistrates’ Court.

During the trial, District Judge Nina Tempia, who found Schonegger guilty, described him as dishonest and evasive.

"“I found the defendant to be a dishonest, evasive and untruthful witness.”"

Along with the theft of the Harry Potter book, Schonegger was charged and found guilty of handling stolen goods when he sold an illegally obtained copy of Ernest Hemingway’s “The Old Man And The Sea.”

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The whereabouts of the Harry Potter book is still unknown.

Next: J.K. Rowling completes new Strike book, Lethal White

What do you think about this fascinating case that has gone on? Do you think the Harry Potter book will ever be recovered? Let us know in the comments below.

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