A gang of five metal detectorists have admitted illegally plundering ancient artefacts from protected historic sites during a series of night-time raids.
Known as nighthawking, the quintent unearthed and stole bronze axe heads and old coins from Beeston Castle, in Cheshire and the Grade II-listed Roche Abbey in Yorkshire while using metal detectors.
According to legend, Richard II is said to have buried royal treasure in the grounds of Beeston Castle, although none has ever been discovered, while Roche Abbey is home to the remains of a 12th Century monastery.
A criminal gang of five illegally unearthed ancient coins and other artefacts from Beeston Castle in Cheshire and the Grade II-listed Roche Abbey in Yorkshire using metal detectors
Nighthawking gang stole priceless Bronze Age artefacts from castle for the craic
The gang crept into Beeston Castle, Cheshire, and Roche Abbey in Yorkshire, before digging up ancient axes and coins from the ground
Updated
Clockwise: John Lorne, Gary Flanagan, Daniel Lloyd, Francis Ward, and Curtis Barlow. (Image: Cheshire Police)
For the latest Tameside news sign up to the MyTameside newsletter hereInvalid EmailSomething went wrong, please try again later.
Subscribe
When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Your information will be used in accordance with ourPrivacy Notice.
Thank you for subscribingWe have more newslettersShow meSee ourprivacy notice
Five men have been convicted for stealing historical artefacts from Beeston Castle. FIVE men have been fined and banned from metal detecting after committing heritage crimes at Cheshire s Beeston Castle and Roche Abbey in Rotherham, South Yorkshire. All five men, from Tameside, appeared at Chester Magistrates Court for sentencing on Friday, May 7. They had each previously pleaded guilty to removing, without written consent, objects of archaeological/historical interest found by a metal detector in a protected place. They all appeared before District Judge Nicholas Sanders.
Curtis Barlow Curtis Barlow, 32, of The Quadrant, Droylsden, admitted taking coins and metal artefacts from Roche Abbey between December 13-15, 2019.
Beeston Castle. FIVE men have admitted heritage crimes at Cheshire s Beeston Castle and Roche Abbey in Rotherham, South Yorkshire. All five men, from Tameside, appeared at Chester Magistrates Court on Friday, April 9. They each pleaded guilty to removing, without written consent, objects of archaeological/historical interest found by a metal detector in a protected place. They are all next due to appear before District Judge Nicholas Sanders at Chester Magistrates Court next month, who will decide whether to sentence them or if the case should be moved to Chester Crown Court. Curtis Barlow, 32, of The Quadrant, Droylsden, admitted taking coins and metal artefacts from Roche Abbey between December 13-15, 2019.
Ruins of the quire at Roche Abbey 360 Panorama 360cities.net - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from 360cities.net Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.