Handyman Jailed for Manuscript Thefts

From the Guardian today, a report that Tyrone Somers, 41, has been sentenced to 30 months in prison for the theft of manuscripts from the London home of bookseller Rick Gekoski. Gekoski had reportedly hired Somers as a handyman and assigned him certain tasks to be carried out over the weekend of 23-24 July. When Gekoski returned, however, the tasks were undone and £36,000 worth of manuscript items were missing.

Somers turned himself in, returning the documents at the same time. The report indicates that Somers suffers from bipolar disorder and that he told police that "he had been advised that going to prison would solve" his psychological problems. Prosecutors say he told police that "he went into the house and for a short time he battled with these thoughts. He said he took the book of manuscripts because he knew it would extend his prison sentence."

More from the Independent, including quotes from Gekoski.