Southeastern Gazette, 29 March 1853.

MAIDSTONE PETTY SESSIONS.

Thursday. (Before the same magistrates).

George Green, who was dressed in the uniform of a soldier, and John Kagan, were charged with vagrancy.

The prisoners appeared to be professional "cadgers." On Tuesday evening last, at about five o’clock, they went to the house of Mr. Thomas Ranger, at Tovil, when Ragan told him a most deplorable tale about his brother having had both his breasts burnt off, begging for an old shirt, to cover the wounds, and money. Mr. Ranger offered him 2d., upon which he said that a woman, whose husband was in the receipt of only 12s. a week, had given him her last sixpence, and he did not consider 2d. enough for Mr. Ranger, who, however, refused to give him any more, and he afterwards took it. Green was in the meantime begging of Mr. Ranger’s daughter, and they both went away together. They afterwards went to the "Bird-in-Hand" public-house, at Tovil, where they had some beer together, and on leaving, between seven and eight o’clock, they again commenced operations. After begging at various houses they went to that of Mr. Cole, miller, when they asked if "the master" was at home. Mr. Cole, in order to get rid of them, said he was in the mill which was adjoining the house. They then went to the mill-door and rapped, and after lurking for some time about the premises, Ragan stood at a corner of the mill while Green went through another gate towards the house of Mr. Cole, who told his wife to go up stairs and ask what they wanted. Green said something about a paper. Mrs. Cole told her husband to give them something, and he took 2 1/2d., which was laying on the mantle, and gave to Green, who, after asking for something for himself, left in company with Ragan. They next appeared to have visited the house of Mr. Green, of Hayle mill, when Green, as before, went up to the door and enquired if the "master” was at home. Mrs. Bourne, the housekeeper, said she believed he was, upon which the prisoner put his hand upon the door and his foot upon the sill, expressing his determination of coming in, but Mrs. Bourne having called a man named Cheesman, who was in the house, he was prevented, and after muttering for some time he left and was followed out of the garden, when he was joined by Ragan, and they proceeded towards Maidstone. On their way they met a person named Ephraim Trendall, and after passing him, Ragan came back, laid his hand upon his shoulder, and begged relief of him. Green came up behind him, and believing that they meant to rob him, Trendall pleaded that he was an apprentice, and was not receiving any wages, upon which they left him. They were afterwards taken into custody at the instigation of Mr. Green.

The prisoner Ragan said he was a native of Staffordshire, and gained his livelihood by work, when he could obtain employment.

The Chairman said there was plenty of work to be obtained now in Staffordshire, if he liked to avail himself of it, and as there was no doubt they had both been travelling about the country carrying on an impudent system of begging, they should commit them for three weeks hard labour. Ragan loudly protested that they must send his wife and two children who were in court to gaol with him.

The Chairman said the public were much indebted to Mr. Green for bringing the case forward; if other persons acted in a similar way, it would tend greatly to putting a stop to begging.

Mr. Green said they had been much annoyed in their neighbourhood by such impostors, and he considered it his duty to bring the present case forward in order to make examples of the prisoners.