Overview
- Jason Price, 54, was given a 12‑month prison term suspended for two years at Lincoln Crown Court after admitting four counts of fraud by false representation.
- He repaid the £5,000 museum display fee and must complete 10 rehabilitation days, 150 hours of unpaid work, pay £1,000 in costs, and pay £3,250 compensation to Lincolnshire County Council.
- Historic England and the British Museum found the showcased Leasingham horse brooch and other submissions were modern or not buried in antiquity, including a purported knee brooch and coin hoards.
- Police said a search of his home found a copy brooch; he initially denied wrongdoing before later confessing to buying items online and planting them, with a reported aim of prompting a dig at Long Bennington.
- Authorities said around 188 items were submitted through the Portable Antiquities Scheme, consuming more than 150 staff hours and undermining confidence in local heritage work.