Kentish Gazette, Tuesday 30 July 1844.

On Tuesday evening last, about ten o'clock, some fellows belonging to a gang of robbers who at present infest Thanet, for the sake of plunder, visited Mr. Lord's, of the "Wheatsheaf," public house, and Waterloo Tea Gardens, Northdown, evidently with an intention of stealing the contents of the till. Their designs were frustrated; not, however, until a desperate and violent assault was committed. The parties managed to effect their escape, leaving behind a cap, comb, and stick. During the time of affray, the fellows repeatedly whistled and called, and there is but little doubt, that at the time, some of the gang were secreted in the gardens attached to the house, and that finding their comrades detected made off. At the time the parties first entered the house, no one was in it except the landlord and a little girl; and the fellows, after being there a short time, commenced putting the lights out, knocking the table with their sticks, throwing the pots about, and committing other acts to draw Mr. Lord's attention from the bar, and on his threatening to send for the police, their reply was, "That's unless, there is not one either in Ramsgate or Margate, - they are attending the trials at Maidstone." If Mr. Lord had not received prompt assistance from the neighbours, it is difficult to say what would have been the consequence. One young man (Gifford) who helped the landlord, had his eye severely cut. We much regret that the vagabonds have escaped the hands of justice.

Martin and his two companions, who committed the robbery at the "Hare and Hounds" public house, on the Ramsgate road, have been sentenced to fifteen years' transportation.