A shocking tale of betrayal and violence has unfolded as George Powell, a Welsh man previously convicted for his role in stealing a £3m Viking hoard, now faces more time behind bars. Powell, 45, attacked his friend Lewis Prosser over a squabble involving stolen gold, leaving Prosser with severe injuries including a brain bleed and epilepsy.
In a dramatic series of events, Powell had been on the run after failing to repay £600,000 from the treasure he unearthed in Herefordshire back in 2015. It wasn’t until October 2025 that police tracked him down in Devon, charging him with grievous bodily harm for the violent altercation.
The altercation at a holiday park in Paignton saw Powell unleash a brutal assault on Prosser, hitting him with a knife and baton, following what seemed to be a heated disagreement over continuing their night of drinking. Prosser’s injuries were so severe that he spent 10 days in the hospital, dealing with a fractured jaw, fractured ankle, and a life-altering brain bleed among other ailments. His recovery has been challenging, with long-term effects including PTSD and issues with memory and balance.
Despite claiming self-defence, Powell’s history with 23 convictions for 60 offences painted a grim picture in court. Yet, his defence argued this incident was an anomaly, citing his struggles with Crohn’s disease during his time in custody. However, Judge Stephen Climie was firm, calling the attack “brutal” and adding 20 months to Powell’s existing sentence.
This incident is a stark reminder of how greed and betrayal can tragically spiral into violence, leaving lives forever altered. Stay vigilant and look out for those around you.