Kentish Mercury, Saturday 26 September 1863.

Singular charge.

James Williams was next charged with stealing 3s. 6d., the property of Mary Clarke, in the evening of Monday last at the "Plough," Stone street.

The prosecutor stated that she was at the "Plough" on the previous day, with the prisoner, who was a stranger to her. They were drinking, and she paid for several pots of beer. She kept the remainder of the money in her hand. When she left the "Plough" the prisoner followed her and took the money out of her hand. She called out and he then seized her by the throat and nearly strangled her.

In reply to questions from the Court, she said she was in the street when prisoners took the money; it was not taken from her while she was in the house.

Detective Sergeant Hill said the prosecutrix told him several times that she was sitting in the kitchen, and the prisoner thinking she was asleep took the money from her hand. She said to him, "Oh, is that your game, give me my money."

The prosecutrix positively denied having said this, and the Chairman said she had so prevaricated in her statement that they could not deal with the case.

Charge dismissed.