Comic faces jail for stolen books racket

Little netted £100,000

Scottish stand-up Gary Little is facing jail after netting £100,000 from stealing books.

The 44-year-old comic stole thousands of bestsellers from publishers HarperCollins, when he worked as a forklift truck driver at their warehouse near Glasgow.

He then sold them cheap on eBay, using the identity skech20. Police said at least £60,000 went through his PayPal account alone.

His scam was smashed in February 2005, and he has now pleaded guilty at Glasgow Sheriff Court, Scotland’s Sunday Mail reveals today.

He is awaiting sentencing, after which prosecutors will take action to recover the profits of his crime.

Little started out as a stand-up comedian in 2003, when he was a finalist in a talent competition run by the Daily Record and the Stand Comedy Club, which usually frowns on comedy contests.

He wrote and performed his first solo show at the 2004 Glasgow comedy festival in 2004 and performed in the Stand’s Best of Scottish showcase at the 2005 Edinburgh Fringe.

His official biography boasts of his ‘scary exterior’, ‘imposing physical stage presence’ and 'in-your-face comedy style’.

He has continued to work in comedy since his scam was busted. Only last week he was listed as performing in Leicester Jongleurs, and he is scheduled to appear at the Edinburgh Stand this Wednesday.

Published: 25 Nov 2007

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