Kentish Independent, 09 September 1865.

BURGLARY AT PLUMSTEAD.

John Williams, 28, landlord of the "Alma," beer shop, Mulgrave Place, Woolwich, was charged with being concerned with two others, named Sergeant and Perks, in burglariously entering the dwelling house of William Samuel Jocelyn, at Plumstead and stealing property to the value of £5.

Prosecutor said he was a grocer living at 1 Plumstead Terrace. On the Wednesday previous he discovered that his cellar bad been entered, and a box containing 40lbs of butter, a firkin of butter and 1/4 cwt of soap stolen. The outside flap had been broken open, and on the top someone had written in chalk "To let."

John Brompton, a milkman in the employ of Mr Standing, said that on Wednesday the prisoner employed him to bring a box, and a basket, to his house, from the residence of a young man named Sergeant, at Plumstead Village, and he did so, receiving them from Sergeant, and taking them to his master‘s yard, from whence they were afterwards taken during his absence.

Detective officer Margetson said that he had ascertained that there were three persons concerned in the robbery, of whom no doubt Sargeant and Perks were two. Another man named Ammond, had also no doubt something to do with it, but he had absconded. The prisoner now before the court was charged as the supposed receiver, and when apprehended he at first denied knowing the other men, afterwards saying that they were at his beerhouse on the night before and after the robbery.

The prisoner said he had been in the carriers business, and was still occasionally engaged in the same line. Sergeant asked him to move some boxes, and he entrusted the job to Mr. Standing, never having seen the property himself.

Margetson said the prisoner had admitted knowing the men to be thieves.

The prisoner said this was true, and he always treated them as such.

Mr. Woolrych remanded the prisoner, taking two sureties in £25 for his appearance next Tuesday.