Relief after 'failing to report treasure' case dropped

A Shropshire woman who was accused of failing to report treasure is relieved that the case against her has now been dropped, her solicitor said today.

Kate Harding was facing prosecution over an ancient silver coin she had owned since childhood.

But the Crown Prosecution Service has now discontinued the case.

Solicitor Mr Brendan Reedy said today that his client was "relieved her ordeal was over".

Mr Reedy said: "Miss Harding has always maintained she has done nothing wrong.

"She had only gone to the museum out of curiosity to find out what the coin was.

"She is very glad the CPS has decided to drop the case against her."

Originally, Harding, 23, had admitted failing to notify the coroner after the coin was identified as a rare 14th century piedfort.

In February, magistrates ordered the coin to be handed over and Harding was given a conditional discharge and told to pay £25 towards the £300 court costs.

But at a hearing at Telford Magistrates Court in May, Mr Reedy successfully applied for the case to be reconsidered by Ludlow magistrates.

Mr Reedy said it was believed the discovery of the coin pre-dated the 1996 Treasure Act under which a person who finds an object they believe is treasure must notify the coroner.

Marguerite Elcock, district crown prosecutor for Shropshire and Herefordshire Magistrates Courts team, said: "This case was an unusual one and one which required careful reconsideration.

"Miss Harding has now handed the object she found to the local coroner who will now complete a treasure inquest."