Nighthawking gang stole priceless historical artefacts including Bronze Age axe heads from Beeston Castle.
Date of alert:
Wednesday, 16 March 2022
Crime Ref:
Force:
Cheshire Constabulary
A nighthawking gang have been sentenced after stealing priceless historical artefacts including Bronze Age axe heads from Beeston Castle.
The five men admitted metal detecting at the historic monument in Cheshire and they also targeted the Grade II listed Roche Abbey in Yorkshire.
The men’s illegal activities were unearthed when a number of holes were found in the grounds of Beeston Castle and Roche Abbey, both historic sites in the care of English Heritage, sparking an investigation in December 2019.
The men’s illegal activities were unearthed when a number of holes were found in the grounds of Beeston Castle and Roche Abbey, both historic sites in the care of English Heritage, sparking an investigation in December 2019.
Further information led police to one of the member's house, Jame Ward, and on New Year’s Eve, officers from Cheshire executed a warrant at his Drolysden home.
This then led officers to John Andrew Lorne and his home was searched during a warrant at which a number of items were seized.
Both men were arrested and interviewed while mobile phones and other devices were seized.
