Sussex Agricultural Express, Saturday 06 September 1902.

THEFT OF TEA.

Edward Jones, Frank Wheeler and Frederick Saunders, who refused their address, all young men, were charged with stealing 16lbs, of tea, valued at 32s., the property of Henry Watson, at Goudhurst, on 29th August.

Prosecutor, who was totally blind, said he was a tea merchant at Goudhurst. He received a chest of tea from London on Friday. It was brought from Morden station, by Mr. Collins, carrier, and left at the finger post at the Gore, where he received it. He received the chest himself, and felt it as it was put down on the grass, and then went to get a handcart. He returned in about 10 minutes, but could not find nothing of the tea, of which there should have been 60lbs. in the chest, valued at 2s. a pound.

Anne Innes, of Broadford cottages, Horsmonden, spoke to seeing the three prisoners sitting on a chest at the top of Ballard's Hill, it was corded up. One of the prisoners put it on his head, and they went off Marden way. To wore check caps (Jones and Wheeler.)

Jon Le Feaver, of "Stilebridge Inn," Marden, deposed that prisoners came to his house about 2 o'clock on Saturday, and after having refreshments, offered him for quarter pound packets of tea for 1s. 4d. He did not buy any. He was suspicious of them. They stated that they came hop-picking, and as hop-picking was late brought the tea with them, and wanted to sell it to get back again. Prisoners were arrested at his place by the police.

Ada Dadswell, prosecutor's sister, stated that she went at 7:30 on Friday evening and searched for the chest of tea. In a cherry orchard, belonging to Gore Court, she found the chest in a hedge broken open, and the boards laid on again. The chest was taken home, and 16 1/4 pounds of tea found to be missing. The following morning she went to the place and found one quarter pound packet.
Wheeler here stated that they found the tea in the dark when lying down beside the head.

P.C. Sharp deposed that he arrived at "Stilebridge Inn" on Saturday afternoon at 2:30, and saw a large parcel tied up lying outside, and the prisoner Jones standing about three yards away. As soon as he saw witness dismount he ran away. Witness caught him and brought him back. The other prisoners stood at the bar, upon which four packets of tea were lying. He took the prisoners aside and found that the packets answered the description of those stolen as well as tea found in the large parcel and more in a smaller parcel lying under the seat. He charged. prisoners with stealing the tea, and Wheeler replied "We picked it up alongside the road." There were 38 packets in the parcels and one in Jones' pocket opened. Prisoners pleading not guilty, Wheeler stating that the girl must be mistaken, he never saw a box; they found the tea beside the road.

In reply to the Bench, prisoners said they did not desire to call witnesses, Wheeler stating he would be sorry to let his people know the position he was in.

Sentences of 3 months hard labour was placed upon them, when all the prisoners sighed profoundly, but were observed to leave the court with smiling faces.