UPDATE: A man has denied stealing priceless Bronze Age gold jewellery from the St Fagans National Museum of History, following a shocking burglary on October 6, 2023. Gavin John Burnett, aged 43, from Northampton, appeared at Northampton Crown Court on Wednesday, pleading not guilty to multiple serious charges, including the burglary of artefacts from the renowned Cardiff museum.
The court confirmed that Burnett also faces charges of conspiracy to commit burglary, conspiracy to steal a motor vehicle, and making threats to kill. He was remanded in custody and is set to stand trial in April 2024.
Adding to the urgency of the situation, Burnett’s co-defendant, Darren Paul Burnett, aged 50, also from Northampton, appeared via video link but has yet to enter pleas. He is scheduled for a plea hearing on December 11, 2023. Additionally, a 45-year-old woman from Northamptonshire has been arrested in connection with the investigation and is currently on police bail.
The stolen items include four Middle Bronze Age gold armlets from Llanwrthwrl, Powys, and an Early Bronze Age gold lunula, a crescent-shaped ornament from Llanllyfni, Gwynedd. Authorities are also searching for five Middle Bronze Age gold artefacts from Carmarthenshire and three from Heyope, Powys.
Jane Richardson, Chief Executive of Amgueddfa Cymru, expressed deep concern over the theft, stating,
“We’d like to thank the police for their continuing investigation into the search for these invaluable and irreplaceable items that are part of Wales’ history, heritage, and culture.”
She urged anyone with information to come forward to help recover these significant cultural treasures.
The implications of this case extend beyond the courtroom, as the missing artefacts represent a vital part of Welsh heritage. Their recovery is crucial for preserving history and cultural identity in Wales.
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