Metal detectorists ordered to pay back £1.2m after stealing ancient treasure hoard

Mr Powell and Mr Davies were sentenced to ten years and eight years and six months respectively, but this was later shortened to six years and five years following a successful appeal.

Now, Mr Powell is required to cough up £601,250 and Davies £603,180 in full within three months from December 21.

Superintendent Edd Williams, local policing commander for Herefordshire, said: “I’m delighted with today’s result, which brings closure to an investigation which we have been working on for seven years.

“The Confiscation Order, coupled with the sentences Powell and Davies received, send a strong and clear message that we take this sort of crime very seriously and will take action. It is a criminal offence to not declare finds of treasure to the local coroner’s office.

DON’T MISS 
Putin bans sale of Russian oil to ‘unfriendly’ Britain [REPORT] 
Metal detectorist sunk to his knees after finding gold Roman earring [REVEAL] 
MH370 mystery deepens as ‘serious flaw’ found in official analysis [INSIGHT] 

Article source: https://www.express.co.uk/news/science/1714855/archaeology-thieves-eye-court-farm-Herefordshire-worcester-crown-court