Gardens Seeded With Handfuls of Gold
- Share via
PORTSMOUTH, England — A retired sailor tossed handfuls of valuable gold and silver coins into the gardens of attractive women near his home in this southern England town, police said Sunday.
The 80-year old widower was spotted in the act but refused to own up to his philanthropy when questioned by police, who said that up to $70,000 worth of sovereigns and commemorative silver coins were involved.
“He is a lovely old gentleman who for some reason has decided to get rid of this money--although he won’t admit it. But he did tell us he has given coins away in the past,” a police spokesman said.
Some of the bemused recipients handed the coins over to police, but after a five-month inquiry, detectives have decided that the recipients can keep their windfalls. One family found coins worth $35,000 in a flower bed.
Sign up for Essential California
The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
More From the Los Angeles Times
Podcasts
John Orr was a renowned fire investigator who was also a prolific arsonist, and whose thinly veiled novel helped to convict him. In this episode we hear from the fire captain who first suspected him—and from Orr himself.
Madison McGhee is joined by legendary Dateline host Josh Mankiewicz and esteemed L.A. Times Reporter Richard Winton as the three of them dive into all-things Menendez Brothers, the good, the bad, and the still unknown.
NPR climate editor Sadie Babits talks about why the media has long overlooked the climate crisis, and how that’s starting to change.
