MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO USING A METAL DETECTOR TO STEAL A ROMAN GOLD COIN

[John Winter]

Removed by JW

 

[Dave44]

Hmmm. Do I want to be transferred to another site that might be a blog? It looks like the headline is a trap. Who did he steal it from, and why did he need a detector? Did the owner bury it so that he could dig it up later?

A conundrum! I think I will just wait for some other brave fella to look at the " site" and offer a synopsis. If his computer wasn't ravaged, lol

 

[Frankn]

I really had to laugh at this situation that has been created. It’s like having Fort Knox set up in various locations with no guards. I agree with the poster that said that coin would probably never been found if this person didn’t find it.
Why don’t these trusts license detectorist to bring this rich history to the surface instead of keeping it vailed?
Frank

 

[Tom_in_CA]

Well said frankn . I noticed the repeated uses of the words "stole ", "stolen ", etc... But it's sort of strange when you think of it: The object didn't even exist till someone brought it to the light of day .

Perhaps that's the technical legal status . But if that coin had been on the property owner's night-stand , somehow we all know the difference between THAT , versus an unknown coin in the ground .

 

[OldNorthwest]

The problem is that he didn't have permission. They take that seriously in England since nighthawkers destroy archaeological sites by failing to report important finds. Say I just went to Monticello and dug up an old coin - does that mean it's forgiven just because they wouldn't have found it otherwise?

In a lot of European countries, it's almost impossible to metal detect historical sites because of the strict laws enacted. England has very reasonable laws regarding detecting, so when people like this break it, they deserve what's coming to them. They ruin it for people who actually do it right.

 

[John Winter]

The problem is that he didn't have permission. They take that seriously in England since nighthawkers destroy archaeological sites by failing to report important finds. Say I just went to Monticello and dug up an old coin - does that mean it's forgiven just because they wouldn't have found it otherwise?

In a lot of European countries, it's almost impossible to metal detect historical sites because of the strict laws enacted. England has very reasonable laws regarding detecting, so when people like this break it, they deserve what's coming to them. They ruin it for people who actually do it right.

Thank you for a sensible response to the press release I originally posted. I hoped that members on here might be interested to see what was going on over the Pond. I was surprised by some of the comments, especially those questioning by own integrity.

 

[Rawhide]

Scatches head, feels my birthright has been stolen.

 

[Silver Searcher]

I can only assume he was caught coming of the site at night, with said Gold coin on his possession otherwise the only thing they could have charged him with would be going equipped to steal with a metal detector, trespassing which is a civil mater, unless damage has been done, IE damage to crops.

SS

 

[Tnmountains]

Where is the original post? Oh wait here it is…..
Man Pleads Guilty to using a Metal Detector to Steal a Roman Gold Coin | English Heritage