Kent Herald, 1 December 1825.

On Friday night last, a man obtained lodging for the night at the "King's Head," Loddington, near Maidstone. Early the next morning, he went into the room in which a gentleman named Beard was sleeping, and took away his clothes, money, and a valuable hunting watch. From another room he took the man servant's best clothes and hat; and with the addition of the landlord's great coat, got out of the house undiscovered. But hiss lucky genius soon deserted him, for on entering Maidstone between the hours of four and five the same morning, a watchman named Dawson saw him, and conceiving he wore the appearance of not being quite so honest as he ought to be, took him into custody. The same morning he was examined before the Mayor (J. Wise, Esq.) and remanded for further examination. On Saturday, he was again brought up at the Town Hall, and the stolen property which was found on him being sworn to, he was fully committed for trial at the approaching assizes. Prisoner gave his name William Smaldridge.