Detectorist caught out after 'finds' were bought from eBay

A METAL detectorist has been given a suspended jail sentence after admitting that the artefacts he claimed to have found were actually purchased on eBay.

- BY LAYCIE BECK

Jason Price, of Purcell Close, Granthamm claimed he found a hugely significant Roman brooch while metal detecting at Leasingham in 2019, and this became known as the Leasingham horse brooch.

The “finding” led to a change in the historic understanding of Roman brooches in Britain and the 54-year-old was given £5,000 for it to be displayed in a local museum.

In October 2020 Price reported to the Portable Antiquities Scheme he had found a Roman Knee Brooch in Long Bennington which is an area well known for Roman history. Only one similar brooch had previously been found on the Scottish borders. This brooch was recorded as treasure.

Under the Portable Antiquities Scheme anyone who finds what they believe to be an historical artefact is able to submit to the county council.

These submissions are then assessed and can be classed as national treasure or an artefact of historical importance.