Police charge suspected metal detectorist over mystery holes in Adelaide Hills ovals

A man has been charged over the discovery of dozens of holes in two ovals in the Adelaide Hills, which police had suspected were the work of a metal detectorist.

About 50 holes of various sizes were dug into the oval and athletic track of Stirling East Primary School on Wednesday, March 23.

Two days later, a number of small holes were dug on the Uraidla Oval.

At the time, Uraidla District Soldiers Memorial Park secretary Di Liebelt said it was lucky no-one had been injured, especially with the Hills Football League season starting last weekend.

«They're actually just metal detecting for coins and what they're picking up on our oval is our sprinkler system,» she said.

She said a member of her organisation had taken down a number plate of a car belonging to a metal detectorist at the oval.

Police have now arrested a 38-year-old man from Stirling and charged him with six counts of property damage, unlawful possession and deception.

He has been granted bail and will face court in June.