Despite all that had happened, or maybe because of it, Kate was more determined than ever to hold onto that special relic. It dated back to 14th century France, but she did not care at this point.
The coin was invaluable to her! It was a priceless memento and she was not going to relinquish it.
Would Her Defense Do Well in Court?
Only time would tell. Ms. Harding and her lawyer hoped the case could be resolved.
They hoped the whole mess would just go away after the courts heard her story. But going up against the courts was no easy task.
Under Oath
When she had her day in court, Ms. Harding admitted that she failed to report the piedfort to the authorities. She failed to relinquish it to the coroner, even after she knew she was required to do so.
But all she could think of was how precious the childhood trinket had been to her and how much it had become a memento of gardening with her late mum.
It Was All She Had Left of Her Mom
She was set on keeping it, but she feared the Crown would continue its quest to obtain it. She was briefed by her lawyer that the state had a right to go after it even if she was cleared of charges.
She did not know what she was going to do.
Ms. Harding's Trial Started at the Coroner's Office
After Ludlow Museum staff informed Anthony Sibcy, the coroner for South Shropshire, of Ms. Harding’s find, the case against her was put into motion. The coroner reported her refusal to hand over the piedfort to the police. When she got to court, she faced a fine, three months in jail, or both.
At long last, on February of 2010, Ms. Harding walked free. The court discharged her case with the condition of paying £25 of the total £300 cost of her trial. In the end, however, the court decided she did not have the legal right to the piedfort.