Four Norfolk men sentenced for metal detecting ancient Roman site in Suffolk
The group were arrested at Baylham last year
Four men from Norfolk have been sentenced, after admitting to metal detecting at an ancient Roman site in Mid Suffolk.
The group were arrested after being found at Baylham, between Coddenham and Great Blakenham, in October last year after being detected using a thermal imaging camera.
All were arrested on suspicion of using a metal detector on a site scheduled as an ancient monument, under Section 42 of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act.
The group was found to be in possession of items, including coins, thought to be taken from the site.
Baylham is the site of Combretovium, a series of Iron Age and Roman forts which were one of the most important early sites in Suffolk.
Those sentenced include:
Bradley Ling, 24, of Pond Lane, Surlingham
Kyle Mickleburgh, 25 of Barnham Road, Norwich
Michael Travell, 38, of Beverley Road, Norwich
Aaron Williams, 25, of Fleeters Hill, Hingham
All admitted going to a scheduled monument equipped for theft and were each given a 16 week jail sentence, suspended for 18 months at Suffolk Magistrates’ Court.
Each will be tagged for 90 days with a GPS tracker, will have to pay ÂŁ399 in cost and complete a variety of rehabilitation activities.
The men have been ordered to forfeit any coins found and destroy their metal detectors.
Sergeant Brian Calver of Suffolk Constabulary’s Rural and Wildlife Crime team said: “This crime was not an opportunist moment. This was organised, planned criminality, targeting our heritage. We’ll never know just how much history and knowledge has been lost as a result of their offending, purely for selfish gain.
“I hope this result will make them think about their actions in future and will send a message to others that we take heritage crime seriously.
“These are not victimless crimes, and we’d encourage any landowners that know they are suffering from illegal metal detecting to report it, so we can target those involved.”