A METAL detectorist who unearthed a hoard of ancient coins and decided to keep some as a “memento” will have his metal detector destroyed, a court has ordered. Groundworker Shane Wood, 62, of Hanningfield Road, Great Baddow, found the treasure while on a walk in Chelmsford in September last year. Ashley Petchey, prosecuting, told Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court “avid birdwatcher” Wood saw a feather fall from a buzzard and noticed a gold item in the field where it landed. Wood went home to fetch his metal detector and made the discovery, placing the coins into a bin liner. Mr Petchey said the horde of 933 Iron Age gold Staters was “likely to be if not the largest then the second largest such find in Britain”.
A METAL detectorist who unearthed a hoard of ancient coins and decided to keep some as a “memento” will have his metal detector destroyed, a court has ordered. Groundworker Shane Wood, 62, of Hanningfield Road, Great Baddow, found the treasure while on a walk in Chelmsford in September last year. Ashley Petchey, prosecuting, told Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court “avid birdwatcher” Wood saw a feather fall from a buzzard and noticed a gold item in the field where it landed. Wood went home to fetch his metal detector and made the discovery, placing the coins into a bin liner. Mr Petchey said the horde of 933 Iron Age gold Staters was “likely to be if not the largest then the second largest such find in Britain”.
A METAL detectorist who unearthed a hoard of ancient coins and decided to keep some as a “memento” will have his metal detector destroyed, a court has ordered. Groundworker Shane Wood, 62, of Hanningfield Road, Great Baddow, found the treasure while on a walk in Chelmsford in September last year. Ashley Petchey, prosecuting, told Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court “avid birdwatcher” Wood saw a feather fall from a buzzard and noticed a gold item in the field where it landed. Wood went home to fetch his metal detector and made the discovery, placing the coins into a bin liner. Mr Petchey said the horde of 933 Iron Age gold Staters was “likely to be if not the largest then the second largest such find in Britain”.
Mr Petchey said that the horde of 933 Iron Age gold Staters was “likely to be if not the largest then the second largest such find in Britain”. He said Wood handed most of them over to the landowner but kept 22 Staters and one quarter Stater, with an estimated value of between £9,850 and £12,350, for himself. Mr Petchey said Wood did not notify the coroner of the find directly, but instead told a man who used the land who in turn notified the landowner who said he would contact the finds liaison officer. Prosecutors say Wood did not have permission to be metal detecting on the land, though he said he believed he did. Police became involved and officers who searched Wood’s house found 23 Iron Age coins.
Mr Petchey said that the horde of 933 Iron Age gold Staters was “likely to be if not the largest then the second largest such find in Britain”. He said Wood handed most of them over to the landowner but kept 22 Staters and one quarter Stater, with an estimated value of between £9,850 and £12,350, for himself. Mr Petchey said Wood did not notify the coroner of the find directly, but instead told a man who used the land who in turn notified the landowner who said he would contact the finds liaison officer. Prosecutors say Wood did not have permission to be metal detecting on the land, though he said he believed he did. Police became involved and officers who searched Wood’s house found 23 Iron Age coins.