One person named Alan from Coventry bravely offered a defense for Ms. Harding. He said, “I can’t understand how she could be found guilty.
If the find was in 1996, did it occur before or after the Treasure Act came into force?” We all know her find predated the law by many years.
Some People Were Outraged
Other British subjects were offended such a lawsuit went forward in the first place.
“They took this woman to court over a coin! This is ridiculous! I’m all for preserving English heritage, but quite rightly this is her property. . .”
Questioning the Law
“What happened to possession is nine-tenths of the law?” pointed out one commenter.
Someone else added, “That is crazy! She found it fair and square, why does she have to give it up?”
“Can the prosecution prove the date of the find?”
These were good questions. But the museum would stop at nothing. From their view, historical relics belonged to the state and they belonged to the public. The museum makes such relics available to all.
Furthermore, the museum does not believe any individual has a right to a public good like a remnant of history.
Her Defendant Continued to Make a Case
Alan from Coventry said, “Secondly, if it took place 14 years ago, she was only 9 years old.” Continuing he said, “What was the age of criminal responsibility at the time?” He knew.
“For juveniles under the age of 15, the prosecution would still have to prove that she knew that the act was seriously wrong.”