From the South Eastern Gazette, Tuesday 1 September, 1857.

APPLICATION FOR ALE-HOUSE LICENSES.

Mr. T. Carnell supported an application made by Mr. Robert Le Bus, of the "Greyhound" beer-house, St. John's Hill, Sevenoaks, who had conducted the house for the last five years.

Refused.

From the Southeastern Gazette, 3 July 1866.

Petty Sessions, Friday. (Before C. J. Colquhoun, Esq:, chairman, the Hon. and Rev. F. Baring, and C. R. C. Petley, Esq.)

Transfer of Licenses.

The license of the “Greyhound Inn” was transferred from Mr. Lebas to Mr. Relph, of Leigh.

From the Southeastern Gazette, 10 July 1866.

Money Stealing.

On Tuesday, at the clerk’s office, before M. Lambarde, Esq., Frederick Humphries was charged with stealing 30s., belonging to Arthur Sheen, on the 2nd inst. The parties were lodging at the “Grasshopper” at Westerham, and slept in the same room. The money was taken from the prosecutor’s pocket during the night, and when the loss was discovered in the morning the prisoner bad left the house, but was shortly afterwards apprehended by Shepperd, 82, K.C.C., at the “General Wolfe.”

Joseph Spring, a labourer, was also charged with a similar offence, having stolen £8 10s. in gold and silver, the property of Edward Jones. The prosecutor lodged at the “Greyhound” public-house, St-John’s-hill, and slept in a room at the back of the house to which access was easy; other persons also slept in the same room. About one o’clock in the morning one of the other persons awoke, and seeing the prisoner, whom he knew, called out to him and asked what he wanted, and he replied that he had been locked out, and was going to turn in there, which he did not do. In the morning the prosecutor missed the money which he had placed the night before in his waistcoat pocket, and put it under his pillow. He was apprehended by Sergeant Tye, K.C.C., to whom he said he was at his lodgings at eleven o’clock at night, but it appeared that he did not reach his lodgings until three o’clock. Both prisoners were remanded for a week.

From the Southeastern Gazette, 17 July 1866.

A Bold Thief.

On Monday, at the Clerk’s office, before M. Lambarde, Esq., Joseph Spring was brought up on remand, charged with stealing £8 10s., on the 1st inst., the property of Edward Jones. The prosecutor is a gardener at Brasted, but on the night in question he took a lodging at Mr. Relf’s, “Greyhound Inn,” St. John’s-hill. About eleven o’clock the potman showed him his bed, which was in a large room at the rear of the house. When he went to bed he had £8 10s. in gold, in a small box in his waistcoat pocket, and 18s. 6d. in silver loose in his pocket; and he put the waistcoat under his pillow. When he awoke in the morning he found that his waistcoat had been disturbed during the night, and that all the gold had been taken from the box, and about eight shillings of the loose silver from his pocket. It appeared that two other persons, the potman and a carpenter named John Cooley, had slept together in a bed in the same room, and the latter said that he awoke in the night and saw the prisoner, to whom he could swear, in the room. He took hold of the potman's legs and shook him, and asked him whether he could lodge there, as he had been locked out of his own lodgings; but as he failed to wake him he put a similar question to Cooley, who made no reply. This witness did not see the prisoner leave the room, as he expected that he would occupy a bed there. The prosecutor, on missing his money, gave information to the police, and Matthews, 7 K.C.C., saw the prisoner that morning, and, in reply to questions put to him, he said that he got to his lodgings about eleven o’clock that night, but Thomas King, an engine driver, with whom he lodged, said that he admitted him into the house at three o’clock in the morning of the 2nd inst. When he was searched the constable found upon him only a half-sovereign and 11s. in silver. He denied knowing anything about the affair, but was committed to take his trial at the next Assizes.

Frederick Humphries, similarly charged on remand, the money being alleged to have been stolen from a bed-room at the “Grasshopper” public-house at Westerham, was discharged, no witnesses appearing to support the case.

From the Southeastern Gazette, 31 July 1866.

Charge of Felony at Sevenoaks.

Joseph Spring, 26, labourer, was indicted for stealing 2s. 6d. and a tobacco-box, the property of Edward Shoebridge, from his person, at Sevenoaks, on the 2nd July. The Hon. E. Stanhope prosecuted; Mr. Lilley for the defence.

Prosecutor stated that on the day in question he went to the “Greyhound,” Sevenoaks, when a man named Walker asked him for some tobacco, and he handed him his box, which, when he returned it, witness put into his pocket, It contained 2s. 6d. at the time. As he was. returning to his lodgings, prisoner stopped him, and took the tobacco-box out of his pocket. His friend came to the rescue. Prisoner told his friend he was going to pick him up, and take him home.

Cross-examined:— There were several water-tables in the road. Witness walked along the middle of the highway, and did not knock his foot against a stone. His friend found the box empty in the water-table.

George Walker corroborated prosecutor’s evidence. He added that he heard the prosecutor calling for help, when he went to the rescue. Never saw any matches struck. Prosecutor was “none the worse for drink.”

The prisoner was acquitted on this charge. He was then indicted for stealing £8 10s., the moneys of Edward Jones, at Sevenoaks, on the 2nd July.

Edward Jones, a gardener, residing at Brasted, but who on the day in question was lodging at Mr. Relf’s, the “Greyhound,” St. John’s-hill, said he went to bed in a large room at the rear of the house, at about a quarter to eleven o’clock. The potman and a carpenter named John Cooley slept in the same room. Prosecutor had £8 10s, in gold in a small box in his waistcoat, and 18s. 6d. in silver loose in his pocket; and he put the waistcoat under his pillow when he went to bed. When he awoke, about half-past eight in the morning, he found that his waistcoat had been disturbed during the night, and all the gold taken away, and about 8s. from his pocket. He gave information to the landlord, and a policeman was sent for.

John Cooley deposed that he went to bed about eleven o’clock. After some time he awoke, and saw a man in the room, whom he had since identified as the prisoner. Prisoner said he was locked out of his lodgings, and asked the potboy, who was sleeping there, if there was a spare bed. The potboy made no answer. Did not see the prisoner go away. Witness knew there was an empty bed, and expected that prisoner had gone to lie down.

Cross-examined:— Prisoner tried to pull the potboy’s legs, but could not wake him. He spoke to witness afterwards, but he made no answer.

By his Lordship:— The entrance to the room is from a ladder, and the door is latched, but can be opened from the outside.

Frederick Relf, the landlord, said the prisoner had no business in the room. He knew no harm of the prisoner. He had since discharged the potboy, but that was not for any dishonest act.

P.C. Matthews said he saw the prisoner at his lodgings at about eleven o’clock next morning. Prisoner asked, “Is anything stolen? If anything is, I know nothing about it.” Witness was then told by Thomas King that he let him in at three o’clock that morning. He then took the prisoner into custody, and found on him half a sovereign, four half-crowns, a shilling, sixpence, and a penny. He denied knowing anything about the theft.

Thomas King said he was an engine-driver, and lodged in the same house with the prisoner. Remembered the night of the 9th June. He went home at eleven o’clock, and bolted the door about twelve. He then went to sleep in his chair, and at three o’clock let the prisoner in. They then went to bed together.

The prisoner was acquitted on this charge also.