Two men have been charged with burglary after stealing a medal from an address in Stockbridge.

Jed Ronnie Martin, 26, of Evenlode Road, Southampton, and Eriks Valants, 22, of Cotswold Road, Southampton, have been charged with conspiring to commit a burglary dwelling with intent to steal.

The incident took place on the day lockdown started, March 23, at 2:30 in the morning.

The accused are charged with stealing a number of items including a Military Cross, which was in a presentation case alongside a letter from the King at the time.

The Military Cross was until 1993 the second highest military decoration awarded to officers in the British Armed Forces and Commonwealth. Recipients are able to add the letters MC after their name and is granted in recognition of "an act or acts of exemplary gallantry during active operations against the enemy on land."

Since 1993, the cross can now be awarded to all members of the armed forces, and is now the third highest military decoration, behind the Victoria Cross and Conspicuous Gallantry Cross.

Other items they are accused of stealing include:

  • Three Longines watches, one with a silver linked strap and diamonds around the face. Two others are gold.
  • Raymond Weil watch with a gold face and black leather strap
  • Omega watch with a gold oval face
  • David Morris pearl and diamond necklace with matching earrings
  • Three string pearl necklace
  • Pince nez glasses in gold

Both men appeared at Basingstoke Magistrates’ Court yesterday (Tuesday September 29), and they have been remanded to appear at Winchester Crown Court on Wednesday October 28.

Police are continuing to appeal for information on the whereabouts of items that remain missing following this incident.

Anyone with information should call police on 101, quoting the reference number 44200107588. Alternatively, members of the public can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.