Kentish Gazette, 18 January, 1783. Sittingbourne

At the last Michelman Quarter Sessions held at the "Old Castle," near the city, James Anderson, servant or assistant to Mr. Turner, an excise officer at Faversham, was indicted for assaulting Thomas Becket, a post-boy, who lived at the "Red Lion" at Sittingbourne: and on Tuesday last the "Old Castle" came on the trial of the traverse, when it was proved Anderson wantonly, and without any provocation, cut Becket very severely across the head with a hanger, whereupon the jury found him guilty, and the court sentenced him to pay a fine of £20, to be imprisoned six months, and until the fine is paid. It is hoped this will be a caution to officers and their assistants, not wantonly to make use of the arms, which has been lately too much the practice, to their very great discredit, and contrary to the laws of their country.