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Thomas Martin was charged with having, on the 5th inst., stolen two pickaxes, the property of Edward Custance, from the Government Works at Hilsea. During the last six weeks the proscutor had lost upwards of 80 “picks” from the works, and in consequence of information received a man was sent on the day named to the Coach and Horses, at Hilsea, where the prisoner was drinking, and purchased of him the two picks produced, which were identified by the prosecutor as his property. The prisoner was committed for trial at the ensuing Assizes.
— Portsmouth Times and Naval Gazette, Saturday 13 February, 1864 (source)
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STEALING PICKAXES:—Thomas Martin, 42, a labourer, was charged with stealing two pickaxes, the property of Edward Custance, at Wymering, on the 5th February. Mr. Deverell prosecuted. The prosecutor said he was a sub contractor at the fortification works at Hilsea, and he had a large number of iron picks, which he kept for the use of the men engaged under his superintendence. In the course of seven weeks he had lost no less than 92 picks out of 178. The prisoner was suspected, and taken into custody, and since that time he had not lost another single pick. A witness names Simpson said he had been in the want of grub-axes, and he saw the prisoner at the Coach and Horses public house, who said he had some picks for same which could be altered so as to suit his (Simpson’s) purpose. He bought two of them for 3s. 6d, and took them to his master. The prisoner said he had bought them of the maker, Boxall, the blacksmith. The prosecutor identified the picks produced as two of his lost ones. Every one of his picks were stamped on the iron part with his initials, and a number; those produced bore the initials, but the numbers had been hammered. still be believed they were 94 and 98. The prisoner was found guilty. Superintendent Harvey, in reply to the Judge, said he knew something of the prisoner. Three years ago he had been indicted in that Court for felony—a wholesale stealing of fowls from a farmyard—and the prisoner had then turned Queen’s evidence against three other men. The prisoner was sentenced to one year’s hard labour.
— Hampshire Chronicle, Saturday 05 March, 1864 (source)