When Agar was arrested for another crime, he asked Pierce to provide his former girlfriend and child with funds. Pierce agreed, then reneged. In need of money, she went to the governor of Newgate Prison and told him who had undertaken the theft. Agar was questioned and turned Queen's evidence. Pierce, Tester and Burgess were all arrested, tried and found guilty of the theft. Pierce received a sentence of two years' hard labour in England; Tester and Burgess were sentenced to penal transportation for 14 years.