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Woman first to face Treasure Act | |
(30 minutes later) | |
A Shropshire woman is the first in the UK to be convicted of failing to report treasure, say West Mercia police. | |
Kate Harding, 23, of The Hawthorns in Ludlow, presented a 14th Century piedfort coin to Ludlow Museum in January last year. | |
After it was identified by experts from The British Museum she was told she had to report the find to the coroner. | After it was identified by experts from The British Museum she was told she had to report the find to the coroner. |
But she did not and on Thursday admitted breaching the Treasure Act, at Ludlow Magistrates' Court. | |
'Landmark case' | |
She was given a three month conditional discharge, ordered to hand over the coin and to pay £25 in costs. | |
Dr Michael Lewis of the British Museum confirmed the case was the first to have resulted in prosecution. | |
He said: "This is a landmark case and it sends a clear message to those who fail to report Treasure. | |
"However, we are delighted that the artefact, which has great historical significance, has now been handed over under the instruction of the magistrates." | |
A similar coin was discovered in West Clandon, Surrey in 2007, and bought by the British Museum for £1,800. | |
Under the 1996 Treasure Act, anyone finding an ancient artefact must report the find to the coroner within 14 days. | Under the 1996 Treasure Act, anyone finding an ancient artefact must report the find to the coroner within 14 days. |