An unusual case came before the West Hartlepool magistrates yesterday. Phillip Hubbert, of Hartlepool, was summoned for having wilfully damaged a dictionary, which cost 30s. in the public library. He was fined 10s. or 14 days, and ordered to pay 30s. damage.
Mr. B. Storey, assistant solicitor to the West Hartlepool Corporation, stated that the defendant went into the reference department and asked for Doran's Medical Dictionary. Later the dictionary was seen on a counter. It had been tampered with pages were hanging out, and one plate had been taken away. It was one of the most valuable books in the library.
The police were informed of the occurence, and Det. Walker visited the defendant. He denied damaging the book, but the following day went to the police office. He then admitted that he had torn out a page, and added that he had burnt it.
The defendant stated that he really wanted an ambulance book. He had had a "sup of beer", and not being used to it, he was a bit dizzy. When turning the leaves over, he accidentally tore one out.

(Published in the "Northern Echo" on October 24, 1925)