Faversham Gazette, 25 October, 1856.

CANTERBURY. Garrotting.

Richard Elliot and J. Rackaby, two privates of the 11th Hussars, were on Tuesday brought before the sitting magistrates, charged with having robbed Mr. Potter, butcher, on the highway, and used personal violence towards him; also with having stopped Mr. Norley, of the "Bricklayer’s Arms," Stour-street, in this city, with intent to commit a like felony on him.

Sir. Potter stated, that he was passing through the upper part of Chantry-lane, leading from Oaten-hill to St. Georges-place, shortly after twelve o’clock that morning, when, as he was passing by the side of Paddock House, two soldiers came up to him; they did not speak — one seized him by the throat, and nearly strangled him; the other rifled his pockets, but he had only a few half-pence about him, which, together with some other trifling things, the robbers forcibly took from him. He (the prosecutor) then got from his assailants, and hastened away in the direction of St. George’s Place, and the robbers went towards the "Cross Keys."

Mr. J. Norley deposed, that shortly after the time named by Mr. Potter, he was passing down Old Dover Road, and when near the "Cross Keys" he was stopped by two soldiers who attempted to rifle his pockets, and in doing so tore his trousers. He resisted the attack and struck them with violence, knocking one down, and having got released from them hastily made his way towards Riding-gate on his way home.

The police officers, on being made acquainted with the above outrages, were quickly on the alert, and in the morning, by the aid of the officers of the regiment, apprehended the men now charged on suspicion of having committed the offences.

Elliott was sufficiently identified to warrant his committal to the assizes on both charges, but there being a want of sufficient evidence against Rackaby, he was discharged.