How two friends found £3m treasure and ended up in jail

In a remarkable tale of discovery and misfortune, two friends, Layton Davies and George Powell, stumbled upon a treasure worth £3 million in a field near Leominster, Herefordshire. This treasure, which included gold jewelry, silver ingots, and hundreds of ancient coins, was buried over a thousand years ago, likely by a Viking. The story began in June 2015 when Layton and George, both metal detector enthusiasts, were searching the land. They were thrilled to uncover what they believed would change their lives forever. However, their excitement quickly turned to despair as they realized they had made a grave mistake. They did not have permission from the landowner to search in that field. Instead of reporting their find to the landowner and the local coroner within the required 14 days, they decided to keep the treasure a secret. They placed the valuable items into a carrier bag and returned to Wales, where they shared images of their discovery on a metal detecting forum. Unfortunately for them, they deleted the pictures shortly after, but the internet has a long memory, and the police were already on their trail. The investigation began when a Facebook post about George Powell caught the attention of local authorities. In the post, George complained about a police mugshot of him, which led to a flurry of comments from supporters claiming he had done nothing wrong. However, what many did not realize was that George and Layton had been convicted of stealing a significant piece of British history. The treasure they found was not just a collection of valuable items; it was a vital part of the nation’s heritage. The hoard was believed to contain nearly 300 medieval coins, with many still unaccounted for. As the police delved deeper into the case, they discovered that George had contacted an antique dealer, Paul Wells, to learn more about the coins. When Wells examined the coins, he was astonished by their condition, stating they looked as if they had just been minted. He warned the duo that they needed to declare their find, but George was too caught up in the excitement to heed the advice. The coins featured the likenesses of historical figures, including Alfred the Great, who ruled Wessex in the 9th century. These coins were significant because they changed the understanding of the relationship between ancient kingdoms in England. Instead of seeking guidance from experts like Peter Reavill, a finds liaison officer at the British Museum, Layton and George continued to conceal their treasure. Peter had heard rumors of a massive medieval coin hoard being discovered and reached out to the pair, reminding them of their legal obligation to report their find. However, they failed to comply, only surrendering some jewelry while the majority of the coins remained hidden. The police investigation intensified, leading to the eventual conviction of Layton and George in 2019 for theft and concealing their finds. George was sentenced to 10 years in prison, later reduced to 6 and a half years on appeal, while Layton received an 8 and a half-year sentence, which was later reduced to 5 years. The judge ordered them to repay around £600,000 each, as he believed they were still unlawfully hiding a significant portion of the treasure. The value of the hoard was estimated to range from £2 million to £10 million, depending on the number of coins still missing. In September 2024, Layton was sentenced to an additional five years and three months for failing to repay the money. Meanwhile, George went on the run, leading to a notorious Facebook post where he claimed he was not running from anything. After a brief arrest in Edinburgh, he was released but failed to appear in court for his repayment hearing, and he remains at large. This story serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of honesty and integrity, even in the face of unexpected fortune. Layton and George had the opportunity to be celebrated for their historical find, but their choices led them down a path of crime and consequence.