Oxford Fellow Jailed For Stealing Books

An Oxford university academic and top British expert on baroque music was jailed for two years Friday for stealing rare antique books from university libraries.

Among the works stolen by Simon Heighes was a first edition of “Principia Mathematica” by Sir Isaac Newton, the 17th century English scientist who discovered the theory of gravity.

Heighes, 33, a faculty member, or fellow, at Oxford’s Oriel College, sold the rare books without raising suspicion because he was an eminent and trusted academic, prosecutor Anthony McGeorge said.