Gravesend Reporter, North Kent and South Essex Advertiser, Saturday 4 August 1860.

Another Northfleet Operative in Trouble.

Adam Rogers a man employed at Messr's. Sturge's cement works at Northfleet, appeared in discharge of bail to answer a complaint that he on Saturday night last interfered with, abused, and threatened P.C. Richards, the patrol, when the latter was in the exercise of his Duty.

P.C. Richards deposed that as he was patrolling in the Old Road, about 11:45 on Saturday night he saw a table in the middle of the Road near the "Huntsmans Inn." He rode up to the house and asked the landlord if it was his. Whilst he was at the door of the house the defendant came up and went into the bar and called for a pint of ale. The landlord refuse to serve him, noticing that he was not sober. Defendant then came out and wanted witness to interfere but he refused and said the landlord was right. The defendant then began to abuse him, but witness advised him to go home and then rode away, but the defendant followed him and continue the abuse and threatened him. This continued for some time, and the last witness took him into custody and brought him into the town. The defendant said he belonged to a gang and would do for the police.

The defendant made a long rambling statement; denying the charge, and then said the constable was drinking, and called the landlord of the inn to corroborate his statement.

Mr. S Warde, the landlord of the "Huntsman," however, on being sworn, not only confirmed the evidence of Richards, but complained of the misconduct of defendant.

Richards said he had further evidence to bring against the defendant, and P.C. Barnaschina being sent for was sworn, and deposed that about midnight on Saturday night, being on duty in the Wrotham Road, he saw a man walking about in a suspicious manner, and going up to him he asked him what he was doing and where he was going at that time of the morning. First said he was going to London, but eventually said he was looking out for the patrol, who took him into custody on Saturday night, and added he was one of a gang and would give him something. The defendant was the man he stopped and he was not sober.

The defendant again denied this charge.

The Bench said the conduct of the defendant was most base; he had endeavoured to impute perjury to both the constables in every part of the affair; his behaviour was of the worst description; he was drunk; he had interfered with and threatened the police and imputed perjury to then. His own witness's evidence proved him in the wrong. They should find him 20s.

Mr. White said it was not the first time the police had been threatened with a gang who selected the spot where no assistance could be near, to assail the patrol, but the constable carried a loaded revolver and sabre which he would be justified in using if he was beset by numbers.

The defendant said, in a whining tone, that he was a poor working man and it was very hard lines.

The bench said he ought not to have got drunk.

The defendant then sulkily took a sovereign out of his pocket and flung it down on the table, but was compelled to pick it up and offer it in a more the decorous manner. He then left the court with a few words of caution from the Bench.