Larne Times - Saturday 08 July 1916.

300 PAIRS OF ARMY BOOTS. THEFT CHARGE AGAINST PUBLICANS.

At Gravesend Police Court, John English, of the "Black Lion" Public-house, Hartley, and Edwin Swift, of the "King of the Belgians" Public-house, Gravesend, were remanded, bail being refused, on the charge of being concerned in stealing 300 pairs of army boots.

A police sergeant said at the Black Lion; he found a case of thirty pairs of boots in an office, six cases, with 180 pairs, in one bedroom, and three cases, with 90 pairs, in an-other bedroom. English told witness he had a drink at Gravesend with another publican and the latter asked him whether he had room to take a few boxes. He replied "Yes" and the publican thereupon left him, and spoke to another man dressed in officer's uniform. The cases were brought to Hartley; in a military motor lorry, two soldiers assisting in the work. The police intimated that other arrests were probable in connection with the case.