UK DETECTOR NET Forum

Two metal detectorists have been convicted of stealing a £3 million Viking hoard of coins and priceless jewellery – much of which is still missing.

https://www.irvinetimes.com/news/180522 ... -treasure/

The illegal break-up of a £3 million Viking hoard of “national importance” that marks the beginnings of a unified kingdom of England represents a theft of the country’s past, an expert has said.

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/uknews/b ... spartandhp

Lots on this...

"Jury retires in Herefordshire metal detector treasure trial"

https://www.herefordtimes.com/news/1804 ... ?ref=fbshr

Good pictures in this one...

"UK metal detectorists guilty of theft after concealing £3m hoard"

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/201 ... sure-hoard

And again...

"Detectorists stole Viking hoard that 'rewrites history'"

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-h ... r-50461860


"Detectorists guilty of stealing £3 million coin hoard"

https://www.herefordtimes.com/news/1805 ... oin-hoard/

From crown prosecution service, note the "Notes to editors"...

"Archaeology enthusiasts who hid their haul of valuable Anglo-Saxon coins convicted"

https://www.cps.gov.uk/west-midlands/ne ... axon-coins

I'm confused some news agencies state "Anglo-Saxon" and others say "Viking" Which are they ?

History Hunter wrote:I'm confused some news agencies state "Anglo-Saxon" and others say "Viking" Which are they ?

This is a quote from the BBC site......

Who buried the hoard and why?

Although most of the hoard is Anglo Saxon, Mr Williams has no doubt it was gathered and buried by a Viking.

A Viking army is known to have been in the area at the time, he said, attacking the Wessex and Mercia kingdoms including the Battle of Edington, Wiltshire, in 878 against Alfred the Great, one year before the hoard is thought to have been buried.

"It was probably buried to preserve it from other Vikings as well as Anglo Saxons," Mr Williams said, "and for whatever reason the person who buried it wasn't able to go back and recover it".

I think Julian Evan-Hart sums this subject up perfectly..........

IN COURT - Well having just done my BBC Radio Wales interview (with a couple more to do as well) - the following is basically the angle that I pitched - The silly fools have broken the law and for that they must pay - but lets just grab this whole matter and not let it detract from the amazing, law-abiding, culturally and historically enriching hobby that most people are responsible for - Yes it is a serious matter - but lets not all self-flagellate ourselves in the hobby for the sins of a minority which is so small amongst us. Our hobby does not need ingratiating opinions of self-condemnation because it and therefore we are so much bigger than that. Loads of shooting, fishing and other activity based hobbies have their criminal elements too - but most of these prefer to maintain a steady course of positivity and dont draw attention to the negative sides as they view them as mere irritations - Anyway when it comes to being negative have no fear the bulbous-bottomed armchair general type critics of our hobby will as sure as eggs are eggs do that for us -
There will always be media sensationalism about such illegal activities - those who passionately state its "theft from our history" - well no it isnt really - if anything its theft its from the landowner - as prior to the theft no one even knew of its existence or in all likelihood would ever have done so - so historically it doesnt technically exist - that factor does not detract from the efforts to illegally disperse such though - - So lets focus also on the claimed £3,000,000 worth, a curious figure based on numbers of missing coins for which no one is sure of the precise figures. Had the finders been totally honest in this matter - one might raise an eyebrow at the prospect of them ever receiving £3,000.000 would we not ladies and gentlemen?
The law has been broken and so its imperative that fairness and above all accuracy are applied to the matter - The law has been broken by a few damned idiots - does it reflect on our fantastic hobby - no not really - why? Because such illegal activities are quite simply just not relevant to activities of the rest of us - does the Ford motor company beat itself up every time a transit is used for a ram raid - no of course it doesnt. - So let's all settle down and once again concentrate on listening to the (now slightly less resistant) stubble brushing against our coils. - Best Jules.

Thanks Pete, it's answered my question .

10 years and 8 and a half years - not sure if I agree with that - seems a little steep when you compare what violent criminals seem to get these days

i doubt they would have got anything at all as they didnt have permission from his lordship ..like the finder of the gold coins hoard in st albans he got nothing because he didnt have permission from the landowner..

And again...

"Detectorists jailed for stealing £12m Viking hoard of gold and silver"

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/201 ... and-silver

A quote from time teams Paul Blinkhorns...
"They had permission from the farmer, and were supposedly "respectable" detectorists who previously reported their finds and donated stuff to museums. Makes you wonder what else they've had away under the cover of being "responsible"."...

"Two metal detectorists convicted of stealing £3m hoard of Viking coins and jewellery"

https://news.sky.com/story/two-metal-de ... y-11866516

https://www.herefordtimes.com/news/1805 ... #gallery18

some fresh piccys

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-h ... r-51234408

the missing felon gets off

I also think if they do not say where the other 300 coins from the hoard are, then the courts should sell their houses to help repay for some of the stolen coins

dig-it-pete wrote:I also think if they do not say where the other 300 coins from the hoard are, then the courts should sell their houses to help repay for some of the stolen coins

Only problem is they would get emergency housing and claim housing benefit plus CTR. Can't win.