Viking hoard thief faces trial for GBH

George Powell went on the run in January 2025

A metal detectorist convicted of stealing part of a £3m Viking hoard has appeared in court in Exeter accused of causing grievous bodily harm (GBH).

George Powell, 44, of no fixed abode, was jailed in 2019 for his part in stealing 300 Viking coins and gold jewellery he found in a field in Herefordshire in 2015.

He went on the run in January after failing to pay £600,000, his share of the hoard, but was sent back to jail for non-payment in October after being arrested over the separate GBH charge.

He appeared via video link at Exeter Crown Court on Thursday, and pleaded not guilty to causing GBH. He is due to stand trial at the same court next May.

Powell, along with Layton Davies, uncovered about 300 Viking coins in a field near Leominster in 2015.

If they had followed the law, and declared the treasure they would have become very wealthy men, but instead they sold it to dealers.

The huge collection of jewellery was one of the biggest treasure finds in British history.

The 9th Century gold ring dug up by George Powell

The items, which included a gold ring, a bracelet with a dragon's head clasp, and a collection of coins, had been buried by Vikings in the 9th Century and hidden for 1,100 years.

More than 230 of the coins have still not been found.

At Worcester Crown Court in 2019, Powell, who at the time lived in Newport, and Davies were convicted of theft and concealing the find.

Judge Nicholas Cartright said they had stolen "from the nation". Powell was jailed for 10 years and Davies for eight-and-a-half.

In 2021, the men were back at Worcester Crown Court for a proceeds-of-crime hearing.

They gave the court different accounts of where the coins were, but the judge did not believe them.

They were both given a confiscation order and told to repay £600,000 or return to jail.

More than 230 coins from the hoard are still missing

Davies, from Pontypridd, was ordered to serve an extra five years and three months in prison for failing to pay his share.

George Powell, who had been released on licence, was due to be sentenced at Birmingham Magistrates Court on 8 January, but he failed to appear, so a warrant for his arrest was issued across the UK.

Despite police appeals, he remained on the run until his arrest in Paignton, Devon, on 22 October.

He told the police his name was George Whittaker, but police soon realised it was an alias.

On 23 October, he was jailed for five years and three months at Plymouth Magistrates' Court for failing to repay the money.

George Powell is due on trial at Exeter Crown Court in May

On Thursday, Powell appeared by video link at Exeter Crown Court.

He confirmed his name was George Powell and was charged with causing GBH to a man during an incident in the Grange Road area of Paignton on 18 October.