From the Whitstable Times, 24 December, 1870.

HADLOW. DETERMINED STRUGGLE WITH A BURGLAR.

Between the hours of twelve and one o’clock on the night of Friday last, as Sergeant G. H. Okill, a very active and intelligent officer of the Kent Constabulary, were passing the “Harrow” beer-house, at Hadlow, kept by Mr. John Bradley, he observed a faint glimmer of a light in the lower part of the house. He cautiously examined the fastenings of the windows and doors, when he found the door of the tap-room slightly ajar. He immediately entered and found a man behind the door. He dragged him out, and in answer to the officer he said that he was a lodger. The Sergeant to ascertain the truth of this assertion, tried to arouse Mr. Bradley, when the man endeavoured to make his escape. Okill then instantly closed with him, and a determined struggle in the dark ensued, which lasted about twenty minutes, each being equally determined, the burglar to escape and the sergeant to secure him. In the struggle the burglar was thrown against the windows, and the smashing of the glass aroused Mr. Bradley and his son, who, until then, were in ignorance of what was going on below. A light was brought by Mr. Bradley, the prisoner was searched, and on him were found 1s. 3d. in coppers, sixpence in silver, and three half-ounces of tobacco, which had been taken from the drawer in the bar. Other articles were found in the tap-room ready for removal, a turn-screw, a knife, and a box of silent matches was also found in his coat pocket. The prisoner, who is a German picture frame dealer, and gave the name of Charles Vanderveer, was taken before Major Scoones, at Tunbridge, on Saturday, and remanded on the above charge.