HARRY POTTER - DRIVER ADMITS POTTER BOOK THEFT

A fork-lift truck driver at a printing works in England has admitted stealing pages from the latest HARRY POTTER novel.

DONALD PARFITT, 44, of Worlingham, Suffolk, admitted theft when he appeared before magistrates in Lowestoft.

Magistrates adjourned sentencing until 4 June (03) and told Parfitt, "We are considering all options."

JAMES TERRY, prosecuting, told the court Parfitt was arrested a week ago after attempts were made to sell the stolen pages to Britain's THE SUN newspaper.

He said Parfitt worked at CLAYS PRINTERS in Bungay, Suffolk, where the fifth installment of JK ROWLING's popular series - HARRY POTTER AND THE ORDER OF THE PHOENIX - is being printed.

He claims Parfitt told police he found pages from the new book in a car park at the print works. Other people then became involved and attempts were made to sell the stolen property to a newspaper.

Parfitt was arrested after the newspaper contacted police.

RICHARD MANN, defending, said Parfitt had simply come across the pages after finishing work.

Mr Mann insists of Parfitt, "You could call him very much the salt of the earth. He is a decent hard working man who loved his job.

"He came out of work and was waiting for a lift. On the floor in the car park was this particular item, some chapters from the new book.

"At that point he should have given it back but he didn't."