South Eastern Gazette, 4 December, 1860.

Friday. (Before the Revs. G. Davies and J. J. Marsham, Captain Savage, and T. H. Baker, Esq.)

Charles Edwards, a private in the Royal Marines Light Infantry, was charged with being concerned with another Marine, not in custody, with stealing two gold breast pins, two brooches, four coats, two waistcoats, one pair of trousers, thirteen stuffed birds, 36 different coins, and some other articles, the property of Lieutenant John Hamilton, Royal Marines.

Jane Benniss, residing in Holborn-lane, said she picked up the cash-box produced, between twelve and one on Saturday afternoon, in Watts’s-place, near the drying-ground there, and immediately handed it to Sergeant Fisher. The box contained some cards, letters, and six stuffed birds.

Supt. Everist said he received information of the robbery on Saturday, and immediately went to the Marine barracks, where he saw the prisoner. Witness told him he suspected he had committed the robbery from Lieutenant Hamilton’s quarters, in connection with a man named Newall, a deserter from the Plymouth division of Royal Marines. He also told him that the cash-box had been found at the back of the "Queen’s Arms" beerhouse, Chatham, the landlord of which informed him that prisoner and Newall had entered the public-house with a cash-box and a quantity of clothes, and had immediately gone upstairs. Prisoner said it was true he was with Newall, as stated, but that he had had nothing to do with the robbery. He further stated that Newall had been to him in the barracks several times, and had clothes with him. Prisoner produced his kit for the inspection of witness, and at the bottom of the bag was the coat produced, which prisoner said was all he had.

Lieutenant Hamilton, the prosecutor, identified the cash-box and coat produced as forming a portion of the articles stolen, the total value of which was £25.

William Fever, landlord of the "Queen’s Arms" beerhouse, deposed to the prisoner and another "gentleman" entering his house and going upstairs. The "gentleman" with the prisoner had a cash-box and a quantity of clothes with him. Witness called them down and they both left the house together.

Cross-examined by the prisoner:— Both the prisoner and the other man left the house together, the latter having a bundle under his arm.

The prisoner, in his defence, stated that he had nothing whatever to do with the robbery; and as to his possession of the coat, Newall had given it to him.

Committed for trial.