This may describe the most heroic pub crawl in Portsmouth’s history.
Quote
THE LATE IMPUDENT ROBBERY OF A CASH-BOX.
—The details of a robbery of a very impudent character on the premises of Messrs. Antill and Co., in Oyster-street, appeared in our impression on Wednesday. A man named Joseph Singleton, who has already undergone three years’ penal servitude, was suspected as the thief, and Sergeant Poole and Detective Compton were despatched to London in search of him. On Tuesday the officers met Singleton in Putney. They at once apprehended him, conveyed him to the Tower-street police-station, and brought him to Portsmouth on the following day. The prisoner was brought up at the police-court on Wednesday before B. W. Carter and W. Humby, Esqrs., charged with being concerned in the robbery. Sergeant Poole stated that when the prisoner was apprehended 31l. was found on him—two 5l. notes and the remainder in gold and silver—of his possession of which he gave no account beyond the statement that the money was his.
—Mr. Carter: Has he been identified?
—Sergeant Poole stated that he had been identified as the man—and the only man—who was in the bar when the property was missed. He applied that the prisoner might be remanded till Tuesday next—the day on which the other man in custody, and on whom some of the stolen notes had been found, would be brought up.
—The prisoner was remanded accordingly.
— Hampshire Telegraph, Saturday 22 September 1866 source
Quote
It will be remembered that a short time since, during the regatta season, Singleton was brought up with another man on a charge of picking a young lady’s pocket on Southsea pier, but discharged as there was not sufficient evidence against him.
— Portsmouth Times and Naval Gazette, Saturday 22 September 1866 source
Quote
THE DARING CASH-BOX ROBBERY AT PORTSMOUTH.
At the Borough pollice-court on Tuesday, before G.J. Scale and J. McCheane, Esqrs., Joseph Singleton, alias Edwards, 50, and Edward McGhie, 47, were brought up on remand on a charge of stealing a cash-box and £85 from the bar of the White Hart publichouse, Oyster-street, Portsmouth, the property of Messrs. Antill and Co.—Mr. Cousins appeared on behalf of the prosecution, and Mr. Wallis defended the prisoner Singleton.
Mr. Cousins, in opening the case, said he thought that when the magistrates had heard the facts the would agree with him that it was the most impudent robbery that possible could be imagined. Singleton lived in Duke-street, and McGhie was a labourer living in Fountain-street, and he (Mr. C.) should be able to prove that both men were of very small means, and men who were not likely to indulge in acts of extravagance.
He then referred at some length to the law relating to accomplices, and gave an outline of the facts proved in the evidence. He thought that when the magistrates had heard the case they would have no alternative but to commit both prisoners for trial.
Henry Brown deposed: I am the manager for the executors of Mr. Antill of the White Hart publichouse, in Oyster-street. It is my custom to take the cash-box into my bedroom with me at night, and to bring it down with me the first thing in the morning. I generally put the box on a sideboard in the bar when I come down, and during the day it is kept in a drawer made for that purpose. I brought the cash-box downstairs on Monday morning about half past six o’clock and placed it on the sideboard, which could not be reached by any person standing outside the bar, but a person could come from the outside to the inside through a door which was no fastening. It would be easy for a man to jump over the bar. When I placed the box on the sideboard I opened the front door, undid the fastenings of the shutters on the inside, and then went outside and took down one of the shutters, leaving the other two up—the house being partially closed on account of the death of Mr. Antill, late the former proprietor of the business. As I was taking in the shutter the prisoner Singleton followed me in and asked to be server with a pint of beer. I served him with it, but he did not pay for it, saying he would call again presently and do so. I then left him in the bar for a few seconds while I went to adjust the shutters on the outside, and I then returned into the bar, when he followed me and asked me to let him out by the back door into White Hart-row, and I did so. It was two of three minutes before I returned to the bar, as I had to go down the passage to the door, and adjust the shutter at the back. I did not notice anything singular about Singleton as he went out, but after I missed the cash-box I remembered that he held his left arm in a peculiar kind of manner. He had a loose tweed jacket on, and a white smock frock in his left hand. The back door is in a straight line from he front, and the passage from one door to the other is about 60 feet in length. Singleton walked behind me as I went down the passage and when I returned and missed the cash-box I immediately went to the back door to look after Singleton, but I could not see him. The contents of the cash-box were one £10 note, seven £5 notes, £32 in gold, and £8 in silver; done up in separate parcels, and there might have been a few loose shillings, in addition to some paper documents. I examined the box and found the contents safe before I came downstairs. Two of the £5 notes produced, I identify as being in the cash-box that morning. Singleton as been a customer at Mr. Antill’s.
Cross-examined: This was the the only occasion when Singleton said he would pay for what he had when he came again. In the position in which he was standing when I returned into the bar he could not reach the box, nor could he reach it at all from that side of the bar. When I missed the box I looked out of the front door as well as the back, but I first looked out of the back door, which was furthest from me.
Mr. Wallis asked the witness if Singleton’s left shoulder was a little higher than the right and if it was not some such appearance as that which attracted his attention.
Witness said he saw one shoulder raised a little and one arm projecting out, but he could not tell if the left shoulder was higher than the other.
Mr. Cousins: How can he tell? No doubt the prisoner raised it as soon as he heard you ask the question, and if you had asked about the right shoulder he would have put that down. (Laughter.)
In answer to other questions, the witness said the cash-box was placed about 18 feet from the bar door. When he went to get Singleton out of the back door the back door was open.
William Allen, boot and shoe maker, of Kingston-road, Buckland, said that on Monday, the 17th inst., about ten minutes or a quarter past eight o’clock in the morning, the two prisoners came into his shop. McGhie asked to look at a pair of water-tight boots, a pair of which be bought and paid for. Witness had no means of knowing whether the prisoners had money, but Singleton asked the price of a pair of side-spring boots, and when told the price he said, “That’s rather too stiff.” The other prisoner then said, “I will lend you a shilling,” to which Singleton replied, “II don’t want it; I have plenty,” and at the same time jingled something in his pocket that sounded like money.
William Brown, brickmaker, of No. 2, Kingston-road, Buckland, said he knew the two prisoners. On Monday, the 17th inst., about half-past eight o’clock in the morning, he saw them at Mr. Allen’s beershop. Singleton called him in and asked him to have half a pint of beer, which he did. He saw a quantity of gold in Singleton’s hand; he could not say how much. He did not see any silver; it was all gold. McGhie paid for one pot of beer with a sixpence. Singleton hired a cart at Allen’s of a man named Benham, Mr.. He did not hear what they said; they went outside and hired the cart and he remained inside. They left together, but neither of them got into the cart at that time. When they got a little way along the road, they asked him (witness) to have some brandy, and they went into Mr. Hayward’s, the White Swan, and had half a pint of brandy, which McGhie paid for with a shilling and two-pence. They then went to the Blue Anchor, at Kingston-cross, kept by Mr. Churcher, and there they had a pint of brandy; Singleton called two men in and they had some of the brandy; and he went and got a loaf and some cheese and gave it to them. The men were strangers. They then went to the Sportsman, and the two men went with them. There they had two pots of beer. Witness then went home to breakfast, and Singleton went away in a cart. He did not see which way McGhie went; he did not see him afterwards. This was about 10 o’clock.
Cross-examined: He didn’t know that they called this “going on the spree.” He did not know whether it was a practice for men like the prisoners and himself to go about like this before breakfast; he never went with them before. He had a “drop” at his own work, and with other men at times. He was not aware that Singleton was a general dealer.
Edward Albert Philip Cleife, a bricklayer, residing at 7, Buckland-street, said that on Monday, the 17th inst., he drove a cart for Mr. Benham, which had been hired by Singleton. He took him up at Kingston-cross about 10 o’clock in the morning, and drove him to Gravel Hill, a distance of about 14 miles. On the road he frequently stopped at publichouses; he should think four or five times. At the Leopard at Purbrook he called for some beer and brandy and treated the men in the tap-room. He did not how much brandy he had, but he had one pint. He stopped at the Coach and Horses at Hilsea; witness had a bottle of ginger beer, and Singleton had some beer and treated a man who worked there. He recollected the George at Portsdown Hill; Singleton had some beer there, and treated some beer to any one who liked to have it. He also stopped at Horndean, and there he had half a gallon of beer, and half a pint of brandy. When they got to Gravel Hill they had half a pint of brandy. Singleton paid Mr. Benham for the horse and trap, and gave witness half a sovereign in addition to this for himself.
Cross-examined: He knew Singleton by sight, but had never spoken to him before.
Isaac Byng was then called. He said he lived in Green-row.
Mr. Cousins: You are a horse dealer I believe?
Witness: No; I’m anything. (Laughter.) Amongst other things he kept a beerhouse, the New Inn Tap. On Monday, the 17th, he passed Cleife and Singleton at Purbrook, and went to the Red Lion at Horndean. He was having his dinner when they came in. Singleton treated him and some one on the other side of the table; Singleton also had some brandy. He (witness) drove Singleton to Petersfield from Gravel Hill.
Mr. Cousins: What happened at Petersfield?
Witness: Why my “oss” had the “kick-up,”—(laughter);—and he did kick too. (Renewed laughter.)
Mr Cousins: Never mind about your horse; what did Singleton do?
Witness: Well, sir, my old “oss” began kicking and he kicked the foot-board right away, and I thought I was going too—(laughter)—when a man comes along and said he could sell me an old pony to get along, and Singleton bought it for 55s.
Mr Cousins: Did you have anything for yourself?
Witness: No; it was only an old one, you know, just to get along with. (Laughter.) The deal was made this side of Petersfield, in a beerhouse near Sheet-gate. We had a drop of ale and brandy. The man “stood” the brandy, and Singleton “stood” the ale. He (witness) then drove Singleton to Liphook, and they then went on to Hammerpond, just this side of Guildford. He and his brother and Singleton went into a beerhouse there, and tried to get lodgings, but they were full, and told them if they went about two miles further on they might get lodgings. Singleton, who had lost his hat on the road, said, “Well I must have a hat.” Witness supposed he was getting cold as he was bald-headed. (Laughter.) Singleton then went away, and he did not see him any more.
Cross-examined: He considered it was a high price for the horse; he should want three of them for a guinea. (Laughter.)
Elias Woodruffe, a gunner in the Royal Marine Artillery, living at 17, Carlisle-street, said that during his leisure time he worked for Mr. Marshall “screening” the ashes in a dust-heap in a brickfield at the top of Carlisle-street. On Monday, the 17th inst., about 11 o’clock in the morning he was so working, about found the cash-book (produced) buried in the heap. A person going from Portsmouth to Fratton would not go far out of his way by going this way, but it was not the nearest way.
Mr. John T. Antill said he identified one of the notes (produced) marked K.B., 04862, as the property of Richard Oakley Millidge and Willian Henry Payne, the executors of the will of his late father, and he believed that the other note as well as the cash-box (produced) was their property also.
P.C. William Porter said that at 20 minutes past 10 o’clock on Monday night, the 17th, he apprehended the prisoner McGhie in Gamble-lane, Kingston. He was very drunk, and lying down asleep. He lifted him up and searched him, and in his left hand waistcoat pocket he found for £5 notes (produced), two of which had been identified by the witness Henry Brown. He said to him, “I shall take you into custody on a charge of stealing a cash-box containing £85, the property of Mr. Antill.” He replied, “You think you’ve got a b------ mark, don’t you.” He then took him to the station. On the following morning he charged him with the offence, and he said, “It is a serious affair; I wish I had the coin now.” He knew McGhie; he was a common labourer.
By McGhie: I did not see you with any cash-box.
Detective Sergeant William Poole deposed that on Tuesday, the 18th inst., he and P.C. Compton apprehended the prisoner at Putney-vale, Surrey. He was riding in a cart accompanied by an old man, who said, in his presence, that he had taken him up near London. They took him into a publichouse head, and on searching him they found on him two £5 notes, £14 10s. in gold, £6 15s. 4d. in silver, and 3s. 1¾d. in pence and farthings, making £31 10s. 5¾d. It was all loose together in his pocket. When they took him into custody he said, “What is this for?” He (Poole) said, “You are charged with stealing Mr. Antill’s cash-box, containing £85.” He replied “All right, go on, do as you like; its all my my money that I’ve got, and I can account for it.” He knew Singleton and he had been to his home several times, and his wife said in his presence that he was in the habit of turning a mangle for her.
Mr. Wallis addressed the bench at some length. He contended that not one scrap of evidence had been produced against Singleton. Referring to notices having appeared in the papers of the previous career of Singleton, he thought that it was a great pity that such statements should appear, as it might be the means of prejudicing the minds of the magistrates. He ventured to say that the only means why suspicion was pointed at his client, was that he happened to be a customer on that morning, and he urged that so far as the evidence had gone there was nothing at all against his client. He hoped the bench would not allow anything that had appeared, or which might have been said, to prejudice their minds, and he was satisfied that his client would meet with justice at their hands. He concluded by asking them to discharge Singleton.
The magistrates retired, and after a few minutes deliberation returned into court, when Mr. McCheane said they had decided on sending the case before another tribunal.
The depositions having been read and signed, the prisoners were formally committed for trial at the ensuing Quarter Sessions.
— Portsmouth Times and Naval Gazette, Saturday 29 September 1866 source
Quote
THE CASH BOX ROBBERY AT PORTSMOUTH.
Joseph Singleton, 49, dealer, and Edward McGhee, 47, labourer, were charged with stealing a cash box and money to the amount of £85 in notes, gold, and silver, the property of Richard Oakley Millidge and William Henry Paine, executors of the late Mr. Nathaniel Antill, wine and spirit merchant, of Oyster-street, Portsmouth.
Mr. Bullen (instructed by Mr. Cousins) appeared for the prosecution, and Mr. Bowen (instructed by Mr. Wallis) defended Singleton.
The facts of the case have so recently appeared at full length that it is unnecessary to repeat them.
Mr. Bowen urged that he was not called on to show where Singleton had obtained the whole of his money. Not a single one of the identified notes had been found on him. He was a general dealer, and no doubt sometimes had a good deal of money in his possession. Sergeant Poole had almost the audacity to say the prisoner gained his livelihood by “turning his wife’s mangle,” but it was ludicrous and ridiculous in the extreme. The prisoner was standing 18ft. from the spot where the cash-box was placed, and he was supposed to have got over the counter and taken the box from the bar during the four or five seconds the manager was absent from the bar. Did they think, too, that a guilty man would be so insane as to ask to be let out of the back door, and so excite suspicion against him at once? There was a large amount of gold and silver in the box, and could the jury believe that the prisoner could have taken that out close behind the man to whom it belonged without his hearing the rattle of the money? The front door had been left open for three or four minutes, at a time when a number of persons were about, and it was in this way he contended that the money had disappeared.
McGhee did not make any defence.
The Deputy-Recorder having carefully summed up, The Jury retired, and after a brief absence they found Singleton guilty of stealing, and McGhee of receiving.
Singleton admitted that he had been previously convicted.
McGhee had been in custody before for felony, but was not convicted.
The Deputy-Recorder said Singleton had been convicted on the clearest possible evidence. It was a very painful thing to see a person at his time of life and in his position convicted of such an offence, because the law imposed on him (the Deputy-Recorder) the duty, however painful it might be, of sentencing him to a long term of penal servitude. The prisoner had acknowledged that he had been previously convicted of felony and he knew that he had been convicted of other offences, for one of which he had received three years’ penal servitude. This, however, had had no effect on him, for his term had only just expired when he committed another extensive robbery. The interests of the public must be guarded, and however painful it might be to him to do so, he was bound to sentence him to seven years’ penal servitude. McGhee stood in a different position. He hoped this would be a warning to him, for if he came there again he would certainly be sent to penal servitude. The sentence he should now pass was a comparatively light one—nine months’ imprisonment with hard labour.
Singleton: I’m innocent, so help me God. I’m an innocent man.
— Portsmouth Times and Naval Gazette, Saturday 27 October 1866 source
Question
I wonder what all that “turning his wife’s mangle” stuff was. A slur on his masculinity maybe? Or his wife saying he’s bone idle?
Todo
“Referring to notices having appeared in the papers of the previous career of Singleton” - should try to track those down.