Melvin West, 70, used a Stanley knife to cut the page out of the world map at the landmark Greenwich Museum and now has the cheek to say he will return it in better condition.
He pleaded guilty to causing criminal damage to the atlas, belonging to The Caird Library, National Maritime Museum on February 26, last year.
West also pleaded guilty to stealing a 100 Nova Orbis antique map, worth £6,000 from The Caird Library on the same occasion and being in possession of a knife or blade, namely a yellow and black retractable Stanley knife.
On Friday, at Woolwich Crown Court, West, of Old Church Road, Chingford, east London was bailed until July 22 to give him an opportunity to return the stolen map.
Outside court he claimed: “They will get it back in much better condition. I have spent five hundred pounds restoring it.”
Staff museum were horrified to discover a page had been cut out of the world atlas and West was identified as the last person using the room.
On a previous hearing at Bromley Magistrates’ Court prosecutor Tharshani Siva said: “The defendant damaged a valuable map book by cutting the map out of the book with a Stanley knife.
“The knife was found in one of the viewing rooms at the museum and the staff had noticed the defendant had used the room last.
“Staff identified one of the books had suffered cuts and damage and one of the twelve maps in the book was missing.
“The map is worth six thousand pounds and thirty thousand pounds in damage had been caused to the atlas.”
West’s lawyer Daniel Dilein told the court on that previous occasion: “There is just one thing Mr West wants me to say and that is he is willing to return the map, but is not able to at the moment because it is with his friend, who is out of the country.
“When he can he will convey the map to the police.”
On Friday, West’s lawyer Jessica Flain said: “The police officer in the case has had a discussion with the Crown Prosecution Service. The main concern for them is the recovery of the stolen item.
“They have not recovered it yet, but by July 22 it will be recovered and will be with the officer.”
Recorder Nigel Sangster KC asked: “Why do you think it will be handed back?”
“He says he has access to it and will have it within seven days and will be able to hand the item back before the date,” replied Ms Flain.
“I’m told you are going to return this map and if you do the prosecution may take a view on the charges you face,” Recorder Sangster told West.
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