From the Southeastern Gazette, 13 February 1866.

GRAVESEND COUNTY COURT.

The usual monthly sitting of this court was held at the Town-hall on Friday last, before James ’Espinasse, Esq. Judge. There were about 106 original causes for hearing and 18 judgment summonses.

Singular Claim. Mrs. Francis v. Downs.

Mr. G. Sharland appeared for the plaintiff, the defendant was also assisted by a solicitor. This was a claim for £1, which was alleged to have been taken away by the defendant after he had obtained change. It appeared from the evidence of the plaintiff that the defendant came into her house and called for a pint of ale, tendering a sovereign in payment. She did not pick up the sovereign; but went up stairs to get the change out of her cash-box. She saw the gold on the flap of the bar door previous to her going up stairs; on her return, after giving the defendant a half-sovereign and silver in change, she missed the sovereign, and asked the defendant for it. The defendant replied that the plaintiff had placed it on the bar shelf, but immediately he corrected himself by saying he had given the sovereign to her daughter-in-law, whose husband at that time was sitting in the bar parlour. The defendant then left and drove off in a conveyance that was waiting outside the public-house. On her daughter-in-law coming into the bar she asked her for the sovereign, when the latter told her that the defendant had not given it to her. She went in pursuit of defendant, and found him about half an hour afterwards. He denied having taken the sovereign.

Defendant was then sworn and stated that he called at the house kept by the plaintiff and asked for a pint of ale, at the same time asking her if she could oblige him with change for a sovereign. He had also a sixpence in his pocket.

His Honour said it looked very suspicious, and he should order immediate payment.

The solicitor for the defence stated that he was the son of the defendant's master. The defendant had been a long while in his father’s service, and he had such an high opinion of the defendant’s honesty that he would pay the money and costs out of his own pocket.

From the Southeastern Gazette, 10 July 1866.

Robbery from a Public-house.

John Grey, 39, for stealing a gold watch and chain, the property of Stephen Groves, at Minster, Sheppey, on the 10th May last.

The accused was defended by Mr, Marsham.

The prosecutor stated that on the 10th May he was lodging in a public-house in Sheerness, and that the prisoner occupied the same room as witness. He had his watch and chain in his box at that time, and saw it early the next morning. Later in the day he missed his watch and the prisoner watt also gone.

Further evidence was given to show that the prisoner had gone to a pawnbroker’s at Sittingbourne, and there offered a watch-chain in pledge, where he was given into custody.

The prisoner was found guilty, and sentenced to six months’ hard labour.

Mr. Clarke, in passing sentence, remarked on the very commendable manner in which Mr. Elphick had acted in detaining the prisoner, rather than looking to the probable advantage of taking in pledge an article of value for a trifling sum, as was too often the case — a practice which called for reprobation in courts of justice. Were such conduct as evinced by Mr. Elphick generally pursued by persons in his line of business, many such robberies would be prevented, and much time and expense saved in prosecutions.

From the Southeastern Gazette, 17 July 1866.

Fatal Accident to a Carman.

On Tuesday last, an inquest was held before J. N. Dudlow, Esq., at the “Horse and Groom,” about five miles from Birchwood, on the body of Thomas Longley, a carman in the employ of Mr. J. Larking, carrier, Maidstone. It seems that the unfortunate deceased was proceeding with one of his master’s vans from Maidstone to London. When he arrived at Town Malling, he took up another carmen named Thomas Hodges, who intended to ride as far as Birchwood. The two men walked up Wrotham-hill, and Hodges then went to sleep in the van. On the arrival of the horses at Birchwood, Hodges was aroused by a man named Todd, when it was discovered that Longley was missing. Search was made along the road, first by Hodges on foot and afterwards by Todd on horseback; and the dead body of the unfortunate deceased was discovered near the “Horse and Groom.” A surgeon was sent for, but on his arrival he stated that the deceased had been dead for some hours. It is conjectured that, as deceased was descending a steep hill, he was jerked from his seat into the road, the fall dislocating his neck. Evidence was given to prove that the deceased was quite sober. The jury returned a verdict of “Accidental death.” Deceased leaves a widow and three children.