Guilty plea ends library theft prosecutions

CHRISTCHURCH - A Christchurch man has admitted receiving rare and valuable stolen books, marking the last prosecution from a police investigation into a criminal group targeting libraries and museums.

Four men have been dealt with so far as part of Operation Pukapuka, and one received a five-and-a-half year jail sentence last year for what the judge called "10 years of systematic thefts".

Today Tyler Scott Simpson, 44, pleaded guilty to a single charge of receiving, which included a schedule of 16 books and one six-volume set.

Christchurch District Court Judge Murray Abbott remanded him on bail for sentence on November 8, and ordered a probation report, reparation report, and victim impact statements from the libraries that had books stolen.

Almost all those involved have been jailed. Simpson is the brother of the man who received the five-and-a-half year sentence, Lee Simpson.

The brothers gained their knowledge of rare and valuable books and artefacts from their father, who was a collector and worked as a volunteer at Canterbury Museum.

Tyler Simpson now faces a reparation claim which could reach $10,000 when the report is prepared.

Crown prosecutor Craig Ruane handed up a schedule listing losses totalling $8230. It lists property stolen from Canterbury University, Canterbury Museum, Otago University, and Victoria University in Wellington, as well as compensation for Bloomsbury Auction House in London where many of the stolen books were sold.

Mr Ruane said some stolen books were delivered to Tyler Simpson and were then sent overseas to be sold at auction. He received payment by cheque or by foreign currency electronic money transfers to his account.

Simon Shamy appeared as defence counsel.

- NZPA