Reedy, attorney for the case, argued that Ms. Harding did not report the finding because of its sentimental value, but also because she was disorganized.
He also argued the point that since she was a minor when she found it, and there was no law in effect, it was impossible for her to follow a law. How could she follow a law that did not exist?
Get an Attorney
Perhaps her mum would have said she should get some legal defense straight away. Ms. Harding hired an attorney out of Shrewsbury. She found a lawyer named Brendan Reedy who had experience representing clients at the Court of Appeal, the Crown Court, at magistrates courts and from the police station, and he had a history of winning.
He assured her nothing was going to happen to her.
An Attorney at Law on Her Side
Ms. Harding was relieved to find some representation. Now the only question that remained was will they win the case? Or would she be forced to relinquish the piedfort?
She was thankful to have some assistance, but anxious about the outcome.
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.