Stolen treasure worth £5,000 and thought lost forever by their owner has been discovered by an amateur metal detectorist in a county field.
The find of Roman and Viking jewellery, ancient Egyptian relics, medieval and Bronze Age pieces has been reunited with their owner after they were discovered buried in a field in Polfields Coppice, Doddenham near Malvern.
They had remained buried for four years, after being taken from a home in Ludlow, Shropshire in March 2017, until Charles Cartwright discovered the exciting find on his first day with his metal detector earlier this month.
After recognising some of the items may be Roman and from the Iron Age he notified the landowner and coroner's office, following the law.
West Mercia Police said following an investigation that determined who the owner is, the items worth in excess of £5,500 have now been reunited with their rightful owners.
Mr Cartwright, said: “I have so many questions in relation to these items and can't wait to speak to the owner. I can't believe this is my first time out with the metal detector to find such an amazing find is just incredible.
“You always hear stories like this, but you never get to be a part of one. So, it is exciting to be part of such a happy conclusion.”
The grateful owner said: “I really don’t know what to say.
"I am so pleased to get these items back, we had resided ourselves that we wouldn’t get them back as they had been gone that long, you just don’t even think about them being returned anymore.”
Detective Constable Tom Court said: "The metal detecting community have helped to reunite the rightful owners with the jewellery and other treasure items.
"We will continue to investigate who took these items and buried them. We are exceptionally pleased to be able to return the items to the rightful owner and once again thank Charles for finding and reporting them promptly."
SOURCE: Malvern Gazette
Greenway, Sam. “Stolen treasure discovered by amateur metal detectorist in Worcestershire field”. Malvern Gazette. Buckinghamshire. 19 may 2021. 19 may 2021. <https://www.malverngazette.co.uk/news/19313956.stolen-treasure-including-roman-viking-jewellery-discovered-amateur-metal-detectorist-worcestershire-field/>.
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