South Eastern Gazette, 20 March, 1860.

Robbery from the Person, at Chatham.

John Keeghan, 20, and Peter Flynn, 26, soldiers, were indicted for stealing a watch and chain, and some money, from the person of William Lee, with violence, at Chatham, on the 22nd December. Mr. Scobell was for the prosecution.

The prosecutor, a seaman pensioner in charge of some vessels lying off Chatham, said that on the above day he came on shore to receive his pension. He went to the "Green Man" public-house, and at that time had the watch and chain, and £2 10s. in a purse, in his possession. He changed a sovereign and put the change into another pocket. While at the house Flynn came in, and wanted to claim acquaintance with him. He came out when prosecutor did, and was joined by the other prisoner. They followed prosecutor some distance, and after asking him to "treat" them, Flynn knocked him down, and took his watch and money; the other prisoner assisting in rifling his pockets. Flynn then ran away.

In answer to the Judge, prosecutor said he was not drunk, though he had been drinking.

John Christmas, living at Brompton, said he saw prosecutor fall, and Keeghan and Flynn were beside him. He afterwards saw Flynn run away, and caught hold of the other prisoner and detained him.

Mrs. Bensted, landlady of the "Green Man," confirmed Lee’s statement as to what passed at that house. Prosecutor was not sober.

Haysmore, the police-constable who apprehended the prisoners, said Keeghan denied having committed the robbery, but said it had been committed by Flynn. The latter admitted having taken the watch and chain, and said he had given them away.

Flynn now repeated that he was guilty, and exonerated Keeghan.

The jury found Flynn guilty of robbery, but without violence, and Keeghan was acquitted.

Flynn, three years’ penal servitude.

South Eastern Gazette, 22 May, 1860.

COUNTY PETTY SESSIONS.

Monday, (Before the Mayor, and W. M. Smith, Esq).

George Walker and Henry Swinton, privates of the 53rd Regt., were examined on the following charge:-

John Tierny, a private in the same regiment as the prisoners, had saved the sum of £18 in the regimental savings’ bank, and as he was about to proceed on furlough to visit his friends in Dublin, he drew £13 of the money out of the bank, receiving the remainder from the paymaster of the battalion. After receiving his money he proceeded to the "Green Man" public-house, High-street, Chatham, where the two prisoners happened to be drinking. At that time he had the money in a purse in his pocket. During the time he was there the prisoner Swinton came next him and placed his hand in his right hand pocket, but as prosecutor suddenly threw up his fist with the intention of striking him, Swinton hastily withdrew his empty hand and ran away behind a table. Prosecutor then examined his purse, and as he reckoned the money he put it on the table. At that time he had £15 in gold. During the time he was reckoning it he accidentally shook the table, and some of the silver fell on the floor. The prisoner Walker then seized the purce, from which he took the gold, and having placed it in his pocket threw the purse away and ran out of the house. The robbery took place on the 11th inst., but prosecutor did not see Walker until three days after, when he asked him if he knew anything about his money, but Walker denied all knowledge of it.

By Swinton:— He went first into the "King’s Head" public-house, and also into several other houses. He was not drunk.

Swinton:- Why, Sir, he was so drunk he couldn’t stand. He had a pint of whiskey in the "Earl of Cardigan." I drank with him after he lost his money. We had half a pint of rum.

Elizabeth Brown, living at the "King’s-head" public-house, Brook, said she accompanied the prosecutor to the "Green Man." As they were going in at the tap-room door Swinton put his hand in Tierny’s pocket, on which prosecutor attempted to strike him, but was prevented by a soldier who was there. As they were seated in the tap-room prosecutor took his purse out of his pocket and laid it on the table, dropping some silver as he did so. The prisoner Walker then took the purse off the table and abstracted the money, throwing the purseaway into the grate. Walker left the room immediately afterwards, followed by a soldier of the 20th Foot. Prisoner counted the money to witness at the "King’s Head," and then there were £15 in the purse. She advised him to leave it with the landlord of the "King’s Head," and draw it as he wanted it.

By Walker:— Prosecutor counted £15 into her hand, and she gave it back again to him at the "King’s Head."

Swinton said it was the witness who kept the prosecutor from going into barracks, and if it hadn’t been for her his money would have been safe.

Mr. Davies:— There that’ll do.

Colour-Sergeant Barnfieid, 53rd Regt., said he heard of the robbery on the morning of the 14th, when he immediately searched Walker, and found on him four sovereigns and some silver. He said it was a part of his bounty. On telling him the charge he denied all knowledge of the robbery, but admitted he took 2s. off the floor.

Some farther confirmatory evidence was adduced, and both prisoners were committed for trial.

South Eastern Gazette, 10 July, 1860.

WEST KENT QUARTER SESSIONS.

These sessions commenced at the Court-house, Maidstone, on Tuesday last, before Gathorne Hardy, Esq., M.P. chairman.

George Walker and Henry Swinton were charged with stealing a purse and £15, the property of John Tierney at Chatham, on the 11th May, Mr. Barrow was for the prosecution.

The prosecutor is a private in the 53rd regiment of Foot and having served in India, he, on his return to England, obtained a furlough, to visit his friends in Dublin. He drew out a sum of upwards of £18 which he had saved and, instead of proceeding direct on his journey, went to several public-houses with the prisoners. At the "Green Man," Swinton made an attempt to pick his pocket. Prosecutor, in consequence of this, removed to another part of the room, and counted his money. Walker then snatched the purse away from him, emptied its contents into his hand, and ran away with it.

Prisoners called two witnesses in their behalf.

The jury found Walker guilty of stealing the money and Swinton guilty of the attempt.

Walker, six months' hard labour; Swinton, three months’ hard labour.