Kent Herald, 24 July 1845.

Alfred Lee, William Lee, and Elias Boswell, gypsies, were charged with assaulting and robbing George Goff, on the 19th day of April, at Strood.

George Goff is a thrasher, and lives at Cuxton, about two miles and a half from Strood, where he had been. He called at the "Gun Tavern," at Strood, where he saw the prisoners. Some stonemasons were receiving their wages in that house. Witness was in the same room with the prisoners; they left the house about half-past 9, and proceeded up Buck-hill. The prisoners followed him, and when they came up they threw him down, and tore his watch from his pocket, leaving part of the chain, which they broke.

William McGeorge deposed that he went, in consequence of information he had received, to apprehend the prisoners, two of whom he did apprehend, Alfred Lee and Boswell. Nothing was found upon them, and they denied the charge. Witness went to the place where the robbery had been committed, and saw many footmarks; went to two gypsy tents several times during the night in question, but saw none of the party there but a woman and two children, and then only the first time he went.

Thomas Robert Everest, Constable of Northfleet, said he had seen the party at Northfleet in April, and drove them away from an encampment there. On the 25th of June last witness saw William Lee, and witness informed him that he wanted him. Before prisoner came up to witness, he pulled his cap over his face. Prisoner denied that he was at Strood at the time of the robbery, and said he was at Woolwich. They were all in the same encampments at Northfleet.

Goff examined by the Judge:- It was a very fine clear night, and the moon was nearly at the full. The prisoner said nothing until they had thrown me on my back. I am sure they were the men.

Mr. Horn addressed the jury for the defence, during which he was interrupted by the learning judge, in consequence of having cast some reflections upon the police, which he retracted.

Verdict Guilty:- The prisoners had all been convicted before - William Lee three times. He was sentenced to 15 years transportation, and the other two to 18 months' hard labour.