Gang of metal detectorists sentenced for nighthawking in Hayton

The four men, all from near Sunderland, were found illegally scouring private farmland near Hayton at night on 18 March 2022

Four men, who were illegally metal detecting in an East Yorkshire field at night, have been sentenced for nighthawking.

The men, all from near Sunderland, were found scouring private farmland near Hayton using metal detectors without permission on 18 March 2022.

They admitted offences at a previous hearing at Hull Magistrates Court.

Humberside Police said illegal metal detecting was affecting many landowners in the region.

Scott Turton, 43, Andrew Richardson, 43, Marc Scantlebury, 40, and Robert Armstrong, 42, were all given depravation orders for their metal detecting equipment when they were sentenced on 23 February.

Armstrong, of Hedworth Terrace, Houghton-Le-Spring, was also handed a 21-week jail term, while Richardson, 43, of Blind Lane, Houghton-Le-Spring, was fined £120.

Both Turton, of Bernard Street, Houghton Le Spring, and Scantlebury, of Railway Terrace, Houghton-Le-Spring, were each given a 17-week custodial sentence, suspended for 12 months and fined £350.

They all pleaded guilty to criminal damage and going equipped for theft during a court hearing on 21 January.

PC Rich Fussey, from the force, said: "The historic nature of a lot of our area attracts these types of criminals who enter land without permission to search for and steal historical objects, some of which can be of significant financial and historic value.

"I would like to extend my thanks to the farmers who assisted with this incident, as well as colleagues at Northumbria Police and Historic England.

"I hope that this sends a clear message to anyone considering visiting our area to commit offences of this nature, we will not tolerate it and you will be caught."