Detectorist stole Bronze Age ring

A metal detectorist who found a rare Bronze Age ring when he was illegally searching private land has been found guilty of theft after he contacted a museum about his find.

Ricky Smith, 34, discovered the gold ring, pictured, on a bridle path in Surrey two years ago, but failed to report his find of “treasure” to the coroner.

Instead, he touted the ring – worth between £500 and £600 – to a local museum, West Surrey magistrates’ court in Guildford was told. This is only the fourth gold Bronze Age item found in Surrey, meaning that it is of particular importance. He contacted Surrey county council about his find in September 2014 and was told to report it to the coroner. Instead he contacted another museum in Sussex, but was tracked down and the ring seized from his house in Cranleigh. On Friday he was fined £300 plus costs.