Man denies Harry Potter book theft

The Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone book was in a display box

A 40-year-old man has denied stealing a limited first edition Harry Potter book from an Oxfordshire gallery.

Kevin McGirr, 40, of Oxford Road, Kidlington, has been charged with the theft of the rare copy of Harry Potter and The Philosopher's Stone.

The book, worth about £6,000, went missing from the Creative Art Gallery in Woodstock on 30 October last year.

Mr McGirr pleaded not guilty at Banbury Magistrates' Court. He was released on bail ahead of a trial on 20 April.

The book was found wrapped in a plastic bag outside a Boots store in Abingdon on 15 November.

A 36-year-old woman also arrested in connection with the theft was released with no further action taken.