From the Folkestone Chronicle 21 August 1858. Transcribed by Jan Pedersen.

Wednesday August 18th:- Before the Mayor, James Kelcey and Gilbert Kennicott esqs.

Peter McGowan was brought up on remand charged with obtaining money under false pretences from Henry Swain, landlord of the "Foresters Arms", Shellons Lane. Prisoner was undefended. From the evidence, it appeared the prisoner went to the house to lodge on the Saturday previous, representing himself as a Captain, of the Elizabeth and Ann, of Carlisle; he remained there until the following Monday morning, and borrowed money under the pretence of having a sum of money in the Folkestone Bank, at the same time showing Mr. Swain a cheque on the Folkestone Bank. Swain accompanied prisoner to the bank on the Monday morning, when he made an excuse and said his money had been sent to Dover in mistake. Swain then went with prisoner to the railway station, but missing the train they went into the "Swan" public house for refreshment, when the prisoner contrived to give Swain the slip. No more was seen of the prisoner until the following Wednesday morning, when Mr. Wells, of the "Star", at Newington, came to Folkestone in search of the so-called “Captain”, he having previously paid Wells a visit, staying for some days at his house, and managing to obtain from him the sum of £3, under the pretence of having money in the Ashford Bank. The two victims went in company to the "Black Bull", and there found prisoner trying on the same “artful dodge” with the landlord of that house. He was afterwards taken into custody, and remanded until this day. Prisoner had nothing to say in his defence, and was fully committed for trial at the next quarter sessions.

From communications since received by the superintendent of police, it appears the prisoner had been to Sheerness, and Boughton, where he obtained from various persons, sums of money in the whole amounting to about £10, by the same artful means; he had also been to Ashford and Canterbury, where he had not only obtained money, but in one instance a suit of clothes. From papers found on him it appeared prisoner had been a time-keeper on the Silloth Harbour and Dock Works, Carlisle, for a period of two years; he also had a contract in his possession for the purchase of a large quantity of oak timber from Mr. George Austen of Canterbury, together with a letter from that gentleman, accompanying a copy of the agreement for prisoner's signature.