From the Kent and Sussex Courier, Friday 29 September, 1893.

Sevenoaks Petty sessions.

Before Major German (chairman), and Lord Blackvilfe.

LARCENY.

Margaret Lester, a middle aged woman, was charged with stealing two ladies' muffs, one knitted petticoat, one knitted shawl, and a baby's coat, the property of Florence Shurey, at Riverhead, some time between the 1st August and 20th September last.

Prosecutrix stated that she lived at the "White Hart," Riverhead. On Tuesday last she missed the articles, and on the same evening Mrs Palmer, of the "Wheatsheaf," came into the bar wearing the shawl produced. Prisoner was lodging with witness at the time of the occurrence, and had been working for her as charwoman &c.

P.S. Marsh stated that he went to the "Wheatsheaf," where he saw Mrs. Palmer the landlady. He asked whether she had purchased the missing articles, and she replied in the negative, stating that she had not purchased a shawl for 10 years. Later in the same day he paid another visit to the house named, and asked for the shawl which she had been wearing on the Tuesday evening, which she then produced, and it was subsequently identified by Mrs. Shurey as her property. He then returned to Mrs. Palmer, and asked her how she became possessed of it, and in reply she stated that her husband purchased it from a woman living at the "White Hart," who had left the neighbourhood about a fortnight. he then went to the "White Hart" and arrested prisoner. In reply to the charge prisoner said she did steal the things, and sold them to Mrs. Palmer.

Prisoner was sentenced to three weeks' hard labour.

Joss Palmer, landlady of the "Wheatsheaf Inn," Riverhead, was then charged with receiving the goods mentioned above, well knowing the same to have been stolen.

Margaret Lester, the prisoner in the last case, was put into the witness box, and stated that about 5 weeks ago she took the child's frock produced to Mrs. Palmer who gave her 6d it on, the 16th inst., she took the lady's muffs produced and got 10d for them, and the other articles produced were purchased by her for 2s.

Prisoner pleased not guilty, and stated that as Lester and his wife were hawkers she had often brought various articles from them. She admitted purchasing the articles named, but did not know they were stolen.

Prosecutrix valued the muffs stolen, one at £1 1s, and the other from 30s to £2.

Prisoner was committed for trial at the ensuing Quarter Sessions, bail being accepted in the sum of £20.