From the Maidstone Telegraph, Rochester and Chatham Gazette, 7 December 1861.

George Monkton, 36, fly driver, Thomas Saunders, 34, labourer, George Gibbs, 25, labourer, and Henry Waghorn, labourer (on bail,) for having on the 28th of October, conspired to obtain from one Mary Taylor £6 10s. with intent to defraud H. Taylor. Mr. Addison was for the prosecution, and Mr. Ribton for the prisoners.

Mrs. Taylor, wife of prosecutor, of the "Bald Faced Stag," at Ashurst, said that Saunders and Gibbs had lodged at her house, and were employed in the neighbourhood as well diggers; they had been away 2 or 3 days previously to the 28th of October, but on the evening of that day they came to the house and had some refreshment. Shortly afterwards a fly, driven by the prisoner Waghorn, came up to the door, and a person dressed like a gentleman got out of the fly and went through into the tap room, where the other prisoners then were - that "gentleman" was Monkton.

After they had been together a short time Gibbs came to her and said "That's a perfect gentleman just come in; whatever he wants be sure to let him have it, never mind about paying, that will be alright, he's worth thousands."

Gibbs went on to say that the gentleman had not much money with him, and would very likely come to her presently and want change for a £10 or £20 cheque; if he did she was to be sure and let him have it, for it will be alright for he was a perfect gentleman, and he (Gibbs) knew him well; Gibbs was speaking of the gentleman in the Tap Room who have come in the fly; she said in reply to Gibbs' remark that he was a gentleman, "Is he? He does not look much like it." (Laughter)

Monkton was dressed in a kind of dark clothes coat waistcoat and trousers, nearly or quite alike.

After Gibson spoken to her, Monkton came and asked her to give him change for a cheque £6 10s. at the same time producing a cheque or a bill of acceptance; she could neither read nor write, and Gibbs was fully aware of that circumstance; Monckton said he had not got much cash with him, but if she would give him change for the cheque she should get it crashed at the London and County Bank, Tunbridge Wells; she demurred about changing the cheque and Gibbs came to the tap-room door and said "what a foolish woman you are not a cash that cheque; it will be all right, for I know him well."

She after some hesitation gave Monckton 6 sovereigns and a half sovereign, and the cheque to her husband when he came home at night.

By Mr. Ribton:- The other prisoners could have heard what Gibbs a Monckton said to her when she showed the cheque to her brother-in-law; he said perhaps it would be all right, and perhaps it would not, but she had better put the money into her pocket. She did not stop anything for interest on the cheque.

William Cook, landlord of the "New Inn," Langton, said that at about 7 o'clock on the evening in the 28th October the 4 prisoners came to his house, they all came in a fly, they all went into the tap-room, where they had two glasses of brandy and water. While their Monckton put on a round frock, a common labourers frock. He also wore dark clothes. The pony with a fly started while they were there. All the prisoners were present when Monckton put on the frock.

The learned judge seemed puzzled to understand what was meant by a "round frock" and a "gentleman" in court wearing a somewhat lively looking green frock, was pointed out, much to the amusement of his lordship and the jury.
John Taylor, brother-in-law of Mrs. Taylor, fully corroborated the evidence, and after a lengthened trial, which was void of public interest. His lordship considered that there was no case against Saunders, and directed his acquittal.

Mr. Ripton then very ably addressed the jury for the other prisoners contending that the case was one for a civil, and not a criminal court; in as much as the prosecutor could recover against Monckton on the document given for the money. Monckton who had twice before being convicted, was sentenced to 12 months' hard labour. Waghorn and Gibbs to 3 months each.