Accused Shakespeare Folio thief Raymond Scott made another court appearance today in Consett, England, where his lawyers argued that the case should be moved to London for trial. Scott told the Northern Echo "I’m advised it would be in my interests to have it moved – that it would be very difficult to get a jury that hasn’t been saturated in the news coverage. I don’t think it (the case) will go very far. Fair England, justice for all and all that sort of thing, but it’s just not cricket."
Scott arrived at court in another chauffeured limo, wearing a "Boss Hogg" outfit ("brown leather jacket, white T-shirt, white trousers, white shoes, brown sunglasses and gold chain") and carrying his now-trademark cigar and Pot Noodle dish. The AP reports that he "read aloud from Shakespeare's Richard III before entering the court." He did not enter a plea, and will next appear in crown court on 14 April (until which time he's out on bail). After the appearance he went all Hamlet on reporters as he complained that the wheels of justice aren't turning fast enough: "Like Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, I have had to suffer not only the whips and scorns of time but also the law's delay."
The Press Association report of today's events notes: "Scott faces a total of six charges, including stealing the book and an alternative charge of handling stolen goods. He also faces four other separate charges of theft and handling stolen goods relating to a driving licence, credit cards and a personal organiser found at an address in Ayton, Washington, Tyne and Wear, last summer."
