Man in Christmas Day arrest denies stealing literary treasures

William Jacques, 40, is accused of stealing 13 volumes of Nouvelle Iconographies des Camellias by Ambroise Verschaffelt from the Royal Horticultural Society's London library.

Jacques will go on trial in the week of Tuesday May 4 at London's Southwark Crown Court.

Today, he denied stealing the books between December 10 2006 and March 15 2007. He also denied going equipped with a Senate House library card to commit theft.

Jacques, of no fixed address, appeared via video link from Wandsworth Prison in south west London.

He confirmed his name and, asked by Judge Andrew Goymer if his surname was pronounced Jack, said: "That'll do."

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.