From the Kentish Gazette, 8 December 1857.

James Steele, sen., 45, James Steele, jun., 23, railway labourers, Edward Reeve, 23, and Henry Reeve, 27, blacksmiths, were charged with assaulting Stephen Barton, and stealing from his person, with violence, a silver watch a key, and a gallon of gin, at Hadlow, on the 31st August.

Mr. Russell was for the prosecution; Mr. Platt appeared for the Steeles, and Mr. Scobell for the two Reeves.

Stephen Barton stated that he was in the employ of Mr. Larking, of Hadlow-place Farm, and on the 31st of August he was sent by his master to Hadlow, about eight o’clock in the evening, to purchase some gin and wine. Having completed his purchases he returned on his way home, he was not quite sober, having had a glass of gin and water and a pint of beer at Hadlow. When he got about three-quarters of a mile from Hadlow, at a place called the Burnside-gate, he saw the four prisoners (whom he knew) standing by the side of the road. It was a moonlight night. Henry Reeves, and James Steele, jun., had straw hats on; the others wore caps. He knew that the prisoners were working at Mr. Wells's, of Gammon’s Land, where he had seen them for six or seven days previously to this occurrence. They had also been on his master’s farm a few days before, and he had spoken to them. He did not say anything to them as be passed by them at Bournside-gate, nor did they to him. He had gone a little distance further on, when the Reeves came up to him and pushed him into the ditch, witness’s head finding a resting place among the bushes with which the side of the bank was covered. He dropped the bottle of gin which he had. Whilst he was in the ditch the prisoners felt at his pockets, and when he got up they asked him what time it was. Prosecutor replied that he had not got a watch, but they said he had, and Edward Reeves catched hold of his watch chain, which broke. He then tore out the pocket and took the watch. He asked them what they meant, but the only reply that he could get was "all right mate." The younger Steele was also present when this happened, about five or six yards off. In addition to the watch, prosecutor lost a bottle of ginger wine, which he had purchased at Hadlow, a seal, a watch key, and fourpence. The men then went away, and prosecutor followed the two Reeves for some distance, when he suddenly lost sight of them.

Mr. Bennett, landlord of the "King’s Head Inn," Hadlow, stated that he saw prosecutor leave his house at about a quarter to nine, when he appeared rather the worse for liquor.

Evidence having been taken that the prisoners were at the "Greyhound Inn" on the evening of the robbery, and left about ten o’clock, wearing hats and caps as described.

Dinah Homewood stated that on the morning of the 1st of September she saw Henry Reeve and the elder Steele standing near the hogpound of a man named Ring, at whoso house the prisoners lodged. She then saw the younger Reeve come out of a shaw with a stone bottle in his hand. She did not see whether he joined the other two men, as she went away. It was the same bottle which was afterwards shown her by Ring.

John Ring stated that as he was getting up in the morning he saw the prisoners come out of the shaw. He heard of the robbery, and he went to the shaw, where he saw footsteps, and found a stone bottle partly covered over with grass. He tasted its contents, and found it to be gin. He laid up from half-past six till eight o'clock, when he again went to the place where the bottle was. Just at this moment the younger Reeves came up, and witness concealed himself behind a tree. Witness was too precipitate in his desire to see who it was, and peeped round the tree, when Reeves walked off. Witness, with others, afterwards searched for the watch of the prosecutor, and found it in a haystack on Mr. Wells’s farm, thrust in about two feet. Two straw hats were found at the prisoner’s lodgings.

This was the case for the prosecution.

Mr. Platt submitted that there was no case whatever against the elder Steele.

His Lordship was of the same opinion, and the prisoner was dismissed.

The learned counsel then addressed the jury on behalf of the younger Steele, and contended that there was nothing to show that he was a participator in the commission of the offence.

Mr. Scobell, on the part of Reeves, urged that the prosecutor was in such a state that no reliance could be placed upon his evidence, and it was very probable that the robbery had been committed by some of the rough characters who infested the county during the hop-picking season.

He then called Wm. Power and John Town, who positively stated that they were in company with the prisoners upon the night in question at the "Greyhound," Hadlow, and they did not leave till a quarter before eleven; Fowler particularly noticed the time.

Two witnesses were also called, who gave the prisoner Reeves a good character.

The Judge then briefly summed up. The jury, not being able at once to agree, were locked up.

At the conclusion of the business, the jury returned into Court, when the foreman said they had Acquitted the two Steeles, but they could not come to a decision in the case of the two Reeves.

His Lordship said he would come and receive their verdict if they agreed by ten o’clock, but otherwise he should be compelled to lock them up for the night.

South Eastern Gazette, 8 May, 1860.

An Imposter.

Last Monday, a young man, respectably dressed, called at the "Greyhound Inn," and representing himself as a stranger in ill health, enquired if he could board and lodge there for a few weeks. The landlady assented, and the terms were agreed on, but on a payment in advance being asked for, the amount was not forthcoming, and the adventurer departed, as it appears to seek some more hospitable hearth, which he found at a private house in the village, where he stated that he was a carver and gilder in the employ of Messrs. Cubitt of London, and was ordered into the country for change air. He stated that he expected his luggage by the carrier, of whom for a day or two he made enquiries, with apparent anxiety. On his landlady hinting that a settlement was desirable, he treated the matter with great indifference, saying that he had no change, but would step into the brewery close by, order a small cask of ale, and obtain some; he went out, ostensibly for this purpose, and has not since been heard of.

South Eastern Gazette. Tuesday 23 June 1863.

TO BE LET, THE GREYHOUND INN, HADLOW.

For further particulars apply to Messrs. Kenward and Barnett, the Brewery, Hadlow, Tunbridge.