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A DISCREDITABLE SOLDIER.
— John Smith, a soldier, belonging to the Royal Artillery, stationed at Hilsea, was brought up in custody on a charge of having, on the 14th inst., stolen 2s. in money, the property of Charles Henry Newton.
—Mr. Newton keeps the “Coach and Horses,” at Hilsea, and in his temporary absence from the bar the prisoner entered at took some money from the till. A halfpenny found upon him being identified, and the prisoner having acknowledged to P.C. Blanchard, who apprehended him, that he was guilty, and that he “took about a ‘bob’ in coppers,” he was convicted and sentenced to two months’ hard labour.
—The prisoner had a bad character in the regiment, in which he had twelve months service, about seven of which he had spent in gaol and five in hospital.
— Hampshire Telegraph, Saturday 19 February 1881 source