Kentish Gazette, 27 January 1857.

A foreigner named Antonio Polaski, formerly a bugler in the British Swiss Legion, was examined on Monday by the borough magistrates, on a charge of having stolen a great coat, three silver table spoons, and other articles, the property of Richard Bromley, of the "Swan Inn." (Dover) The prosecutor related that the premises were forcibly entered on the 2nd inst. — the till emptied, four great coats, two bottles of gin, a box of cigars, three spoons, and other things stolen.

Thomas Denne, landlord of the "Wellington," Canterbury, deposed that the prisoner came to his house on the 14th inst., and requested him to advance half-a-crown on two table spoons, as the pawnbrokers’ shops were closed, and he wanted to go to Dover. On Inspector Spratt making inquiry about a coat, witness gave up the spoons, and told him of what had occurred.

Inspector Spratt confirmed this, and detailed the particulars of his apprehension of the prisoner, and finding in his room a silver spoon and the duplicate of a coat which he had pledged.

Mary Ann Carpenter stated the particulars of the prisoner's pledging with her a coat and a handkerchief — which were sworn to by the prosecutor, and prisoner was committed for trial.

On Wednesday the prisoner underwent examination on other charges — among them for breaking into the house of a person named Scott, from which he stole a Dutch clock and other articles; and sundry dresses from the residence of Mr. Waterman. He was committed for trial on the first charge, and on the second with a female named Mary Heath, with whom he had been living in Canterbury, to the Dover sessions.

South Eastern Gazette, 26 June, 1860.

Alleged Case of Watch Stealing.

At the city petty sessions on Thursday last, Thomas Denne (landlord of the "Wellington" public house in Broad-street) John Taylor, and John Clarke (two, disbanded militiamen), were charged with having stolen a gold watch, value 40 guineas, he property of John Merryweather, a sub-contractor on the London, Chatham, and Dover Railway.

From the evidence given by the prosecutor, it appeared that at about 9 o'clock on the previous night he went into the house kept by the prisoner Denne, and had something to drink, and in the tap-room he saw the two other prisoners, Clarke and Taylor. He (prosecutor) was sitting on a table in a "dosing state," when the prisoner Clarke left the room. Denne then went in, took hold of the table on which the prosecutor was sitting, and tried to throw him off. Denne and Taylor afterwards caught hold of him, one on each side and when he was about to go out of the room, he met Clarke, who threatened to strike him. Prosecutor then felt Denne take hold of his watch, and on seizing his hand he found it contained his watch. All parties then left the room, and the prosecutor gave information to the police. At the time of hearing the case, the watch had not been found and the prisoners were consequently remanded till Monday, bail being refused.

South Eastern Gazette, 26 June, 1860.

The Watch Stealing Case.

Yesterday (Monday) Thomas Denne, licensed victualler, John Clarke and John Taylor, labourers, were brought before the magistrates on remand, charged with stealing a gold watch, value 50 guineas, from the person of John Merryweather, a railway sub-contractor. Mr. T. T. Delasaux appeared for the prosecution, and Mr. Mourilyan, of Sandwich, defended the prisoner Denne. The former evidence having been read over, prosecutor added, in cross-examination, that he was not drunk, though he might have been into five or six public-houses previously. He swore positively that it was Denne who took the watch; but he did not give him in charge because he was told he should have the watch back again. Inspector Spratt proved finding the watch buried in a cup, and wrapped in paper, at the premises of the prisoner Taylor’s father, in Burgate-lane. Clarke here said he was the man who took the watoh, which was dangling out of prosecutor’s pocket, while he was struggling with some navvies). Sergeant Else said he went to Denne’s house; prosecutor charged the latter with having his watch, which Denne denied. Prosecutor also pointed out a man named Whittaker as one who had assisted in robbing him, but afterwards admitted that he was mistaken, and then pointed out Clark and Taylor. Prosecutor was three-parts drunk, and when asked at the station if he had any particular charge to press against either of the prisoners? said, "None whatever," and they were then all discharged.

Mr. Mourilyan then addressed the Bench, on behalf of the prisoner Denne, contending that there was not such evidence against his client as would justify the magistrates in imposing upon him imprisonment until the sessions, but the magistrates committed all of the prisoners for trial at the quarter sessions. They, however, consented to accept bail, which was found for the prisoner Denne.

South Eastern Gazette, 10 July, 1860.

The summer quarter sessions for this city and borough were held before John Deedes, Esq., Recorder, at the Guildhall, on Wednesday last.

Thomas Denne, licensed victualler, John Taylor and John Clarke, labourers, were conjointly indicted for stealing a gold watch, value 40 guineas, from the person of John Meryweather, at St. Mary, Northgate, on the 20th June last. Mr. Barrow prosecuted; Mr. Bussell defended Denne. Clarke pleaded guilty. The other prisoner was undefended.

The evidence adduced was substantially the same as that given at the examinations before the magistrates, and reported by us a fortnight since.

Three witnesses were called for the defence of Denne, who stated that the accused did not commit the offence imputed to him.

The Recorder carefully summed up, and the jury retired to consider their verdict. After being locked up for nearly five hours, they found a verdict of guilty against Taylor, but acquitted Denne.

Clarke and Taylor were sentenced to twelvemonths' hard labour.

South Eastern Gazette, 18 September, 1860.

Stealing Money from the Person.

Yesterday, before the city justices, William King was charged with stealing 5s. from the person of Charles Stiff, a bricklayer, on Sunday afternoon. The prosecutor had gone to the "Wellington" public-house, about three o’clock, and after staying in the tap-room for about 20 minutes went up stairs into a bed-room to see a man named Crip. Here he lay down on the bed and fell asleep till aroused by the prisoner groping in his pockets, and on getting up he found that he had been robbed of two half-crowns. He reclaimed that amount of King, and on his refusal to give it up called a policeman to whom prisoner was given in custody. Prisoner now pleaded guilty, and was sentenced to one month’s imprisonment.