From the Canterbury Journal, 7 January 1865.

EAST KENT QUARTER SESSIONS.

The January sitting of this Court was held on Tuesday last, at the Sessions House, at St. Augustine's. Sir Brook W. Bridges, Bart, M.P, presided:

ROBBERY AT SITTINGBOURNE.

James Chapman, 31, labourer, was indicted for stealing 23 yards of cloth, the property of James Hodgson, at Sittingbourne, on the 27th December, 1864.

— Hodgson, assistant to the prosecutor said that about dinner time on the 27th December, he saw the piece of cloth outside the door of the shop and missed it about four o'clock in the afternoon. There was a ticket on the cloth when at the door. The cloth produced is the name.

Henry Mitchell kept the "Castle" beerhouse. On the day in question he saw the prisoner in his house, and he saw that he had got something under his frock. He said Charlie what have you got there, and he replied "Nothing belonging to you." He took it into the bar and afterwards gave it to prisoner again. He went out and prisoner followed him, and the little boy that was with witness picked up the cloth and gave to the prisoner again. Some time, after the little boy showed him the cloth at the bottom of the yard.

Thomas Mitchell, a little boy, said he was going home on the day in question, when he saw the prisoner drop the roll of cloth. Witness picked it up and gave it to the prisoner, who went up the "Rose" yard and knelt down and put the bundle under the table in the yard. After he had put the bundle under the table prisoner went into the "Rose."

Superintendent Green:— On the 27th December, Mr. Mitchell gave him the cloth produced. He went to the "Rose," and apprehended the prisoner on suspicion of stealing the cloth.

P.C. Walsh searched the "Rose" yard on the day in question, and found the ticket produced. The ticket was identified by Mr. Hodgson. The prisoner who stated that he found the cloth in the street, was found guilty, and he then pleaded guilty to a previous conviction, and was sentenced to nine months’ hard labour.