Man jailed for £3m Viking treasure theft recalled

Gwent Police is appealing for information to locate George Whittaker, also known as George Powell

A man jailed for stealing £3m of Viking treasure is being sought by police.

Gwent Police is trying to find George Whittaker, 43, also known as George Powell, from Cwmbran, who police said also has links to Newport.

Powell was convicted of stealing ancient coins and jewellery he found in a field in a Herefordshire in 2015.

Gwent Police said in a statement: "He received a prison sentence for the offence of theft and following a breach of his licence conditions is being recalled to prison."

Powell was convicted alongside his friend Layton Davies 56, from Pontypridd - during their sentencing the judge said they had, "stolen the nation’s history".

Experts said the hoard had the potential to "rewrite history".

Powell and Davies failed to declare their discovery, as required by law, and instead sold the valuables to dealers.

The men were convicted in 2019 of theft and concealing their find, Powell was sentenced to 10 years in prison and Davies to eight-and-a-half years.

Earlier this year Powell was denied the right to appeal his sentence.

In 2022, Powell and Davies were ordered to pay back more than £600,000 each or spend five more years in jail.

Judge Nicholas Cartwright told the men he believed around 270 coins were still being deliberately hidden by them.

Last month Layton Davies was jailed for a further five years and three months after failing to pay back the £603,180 he made from selling the stolen treasures.

Gwent Police is urging anyone with information about Powell’s whereabouts to contact them.