From the Southeastern Gazette, 24 April 1866.

Petty Sessions, Tuesday.

(Before Major Scoones, in the chair, and H. T. Moore, A. Pott, H. D. Streatfeild, and E. Rodgety Esqrs.)

George Wilson was charged with obtaining 2s. 3d., the money of John Batchelor, of the “Phoenix Tavern,” Tunbridge, on the 12th inst., by means of false pretences.

From the evidence of Mrs. Batchelor it appeared that about half-past ten on the night in question the prisoner was at the prosecutor’s, and asked Mrs. Batchelor if she would buy some genuine peppermint, as he could get it direct from the distillery. After some conversation he left the house, and shortly returned with two bottles, which he said contained the cordial, and for which he wanted eighteen-pence a bottle. Mrs. Batchelor told him she did not want the two bottles, but she at length agreed to purchase them for two shillings and a pint of ale. Mrs. Batchelor informed her husband of her purchase, and he, alter tasting the “genuine” peppermint, went out to the prisoner, who was still in the house, and who asserted that he had bought it from a distillery at Mitcham. As the liquid was worthless, and the prisoner refused to rescind the bargain, he was handed over to the police, on the charge of obtaining money under false pretences. Supt. Dance gave a small quantity of the contents of each bottle to Mr. Smith, assistant to Mr. Bishop, surgeon, who found it to be oil of peppermint! mixed with water; it was not such a liquid as would be sent out from a distillery, and the price of real peppermint would be considerably more than that charged by the prisoner.

He was fully committed for trial at the Quarter Sessions.

From the Southeastern Gazette, 10 July 1866.

Charge of Obtaining Money under False Pretences.

George Wilson, 33, labourer, was indicted for obtaining by false pretences, the sum of 2s. 3d., the moneys of John Batcheller, at Tonbridge, on the 12th April. Mr. Barrow prosecuted.

Mrs. Batcheller deposed that on the evening of the 12th April, the prisoner came to her house, the “Phoenix,” and had a glass of ale. He said he had brought some pure peppermint direct from the distillery at Mitcham. She purchased two bottles for 2s. and a pint of beer. The stuff turned out to be worthless.

The Chairman stopped the case, and directed a verdict of acquittal.