Discover the tale of George Powell, the Welsh treasure hunter turned infamous! Eleven years ago, Powell stumbled upon a remarkable Viking treasure trove worth £12 million while metal detecting in Herefordshire. But instead of reporting it, he and his accomplice sold the artefacts secretly, adding a quest-worthy twist to their story.
George was first caught in 2019 and sentenced but later made headlines again after breaching his licence conditions. Using the alias “George Dennis Blackbeard,” he even commented on a police appeal for his own arrest, simply to critique the choice of his photo!
The hoard, deemed one of Britain’s most significant historical finds, included a gold ring, a stunning bracelet with a dragon’s head, and Anglo-Saxon coins— some of which rewrote history by suggesting alliances between medieval kings.
Despite the allure of ‘finders keepers’, UK law dictates treasure belongs to the Crown. George’s tale highlights a gamble that saw him serve time and even face a probation breach warrant after offering £1,000 a month to repay £600,000 due, resulting from his hidden exploits.
In prison, he reflects on the ‘curse’ of his discovery, yet pledges to write a tell-all book and hopes for a future basking in the sun once released. Catch the full saga of fortune, folly, and the fall of a modern-day treasure hunter.
What would you do if you found historic treasure? Share your thoughts!