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From the Dover Express, 22 October, 1869.
Theft of a Guernsey at Preston.
William Thurston, 45, Henry Swan, 28, James Swan, 24, Joseph Clark,
labourers, were indicted for stealing a guernsey, value 7s. the property
of Henry Summers, at Preston-next-Faversham, on Oct. 1st.
Prosecutor deposed that he was a fisherman, and lodged at the "Brents
Tavern." He had a guernsey in the kitchen, which is underground, and on
the following day the guernsey was gone. He identified the guernsey
produced an his property.
Amelia Dane, nine years of age, daughter of the landlord of the "Brents
Tavern," said that on Oct. 1st, Clark, James Swan, and Thurston, were at
the house. Thurston asked her to take a pint of beer into the tap-room,
and as she left the tap room she saw Clark coming up the cellar stairs.
She had been in the cellar shortly before, and saw a guernsey hanging by
the fire. Half an hour afterwards the guernsey was gone.
George Stevens said he had been lodging at the "Cherry Tree"
public-house, at Preston. On October last Thurston and the two Swans
came there. Thurston was wearing a guernsey, and he offered it for sale.
Thomas Cole, Preston, said on Oct. 1st he was at the "Windmill," and
Thurston came in and offered a guernsey to him for 6s. Subsequently the
two Swans came in. A man bought the gurrnsey for 5s. and a pint of beer.
Edward Packman said he bought the guernsey as stated. He asked Thurston
if he had come by the guernsey honestly, and he said he had, and that he
had worked hard for the money he had bought it with.
P.C. Bennett, on the 2nd Oct., took Thurston into custody. After he had
cautioned him he said, "We were at the "Brent's Tavern." Clark said he
had got a guernsey and gave it to James Swan, and he gave it to his
brother. At the "Cherry Tree" Henry Swan asked me what the guernsey was
worth. I thought it was worth 4s. Swan handed the guernsey to me, and I
sold it to a man named Boughton. Witness afterwards took James Swan who
said he was at the "Brents Tavern" on the 1st of October, but saw
nothing of any guernsey.
The jury found Thurston and Clark guilty, and acquitted the Swans. A
previous conviction was proved against Clarke.
Supt. White, of the Faversham borough police, said that Clark had
several times been in trouble.
Clark was sentenced to twelve months’ hard labour and seven years'
supervision of the police. Thurston to two months' hard labour.
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