From the Kentish Gazette, 21 July 1857.

Magistrates' Clerk's Office.

Monday, July 13. Before N. Toke, Esq.

Jane Stanley was charged with stealing two sovereigns from the person of William Prebble, and Ann Wise with being accessory to the robbery.

William Prebble deposed:— I am a pensioner from the 23rd Fusiliers, and live in the New Town. On Wednesday last I came to Ashford to receive my pension. Afterwards between five and six o’clock in the evening, I went to the "New Inn," and on coming out I met a young woman named Mary Warner in the street, and she asked me to come into Jane Stanley’s house. I went in with her, but do not remember how long I stayed, and then went to the "Eight Bells." After I came out of the "Eight Bells" my mother met me, and she found I had been robbed, but I did not discover this myself until the next morning. The property stolen from me consisted of a £5 note, two sovereigns, eight or ten shillings in silver, a Crimean medal, and some papers.

P. C. John Antonio said, on Wednesday afternoon I was sent for to the "Eight Bells" beershop, and there saw the prosecutor lying down in the taproom drunk. I lifted him up and searched him, but found nothing upon him. Afterwards, upon receiving information that the man had been robbed, I went to the house of the prisoner Stanley, and asked if she knew anything about the money or papers belonging to the prosecutor. She said she did not, but I might search her house. I searched but found nothing. I then went to Mary Warner’s house and searched but found nothing there. From further information, I went again to Mary Warner on Saturday, and she gave me a sovereign, as having been taken from prosecutor.

Mary Warner, wife of Edward Warner, labourer said, I was standing at the door of Jane Stanley's house in Gravel Walk, between five and six o’clock in the evening, when the prosecutor came up. He asked me if I lived there; and I said I did not, but he could come in if he liked.

He did so, and sent for some spirits, and we remained there together about an hour and a half. During the time Jane Stanley came in, and brought some gin and ale. Ann Wise afterwards came in, and we were all four in the room drinking for some time. Prosecutor gave me 5s. and also gave Jane Stanley some money for drink. I then went into my own house, leaving him with Jane Stanley and Ann Wise. I came back some time after, and he was still in the room with them. I saw that his trousers pockets were turned inside out, and accused them of robbing him. They said if he had been robbed it was by me. We then went all four to the "Eight Bells," and we (the women) left him there. He had his papers and medal in his pouch safe when we left him. Mr. James afterwards sent for Mrs. Stanley, and I was in her house when she came back. She showed me two sovereigns, and said she had them of prosecutor. She gave me one; and said she should not give Ann Wise a halfpenny. I did not see the £5 note; but it might have been among the papers.

The prisoner Stanley said she did not know anything about it; all the money she had from the prosecutor was given to her by him.

Wise said she only came in to have some gin, and was not upstairs with them at all.

The magistrate said, that although he had no moral doubt of the robbery, yet there was not sufficient evidence to convict the prisoners if sent to the Sessions, and they were consequently dismissed.

South Eastern Gazette, 9 September, 1862.

Licences.

This was the annual licensing day.

The following spirit licenses were granted to beer houses. For the "Black Dog," Wye, kept by William Haycock.

The "Locomotive," Beaver, kept by Edward Quested.

The "Old Flying Horse," kept by John Alan.

The "Foresters Arms," kept by Edward Marshall.

The "South Eastern Railway Tavern," kept by William Thursday.

The "Olive Branch," Westwell, kept by Thomas Highsted.

The "British Flag," on the old British school ground; prospect place, Ashford, kept by William James Terry.

The "Eight Bells," New Rents, Ashford, kept by Richard James.

The "Alma," Chilham, kept by William Miller.

Mr. Tassel, solicitor, supported the applications for the "Black Dog," the "Foresters Arms," the "British Flag," the "Olive Branch," and opposed those for the "Old Flying Horse" and the "Locomotive."

Mr. Carnell supported the applications on behalf of the "Locomotive," the "Old Flying Horse," the "South Eastern Tavern," and the "Eight Bells."

Mr. Fraser, Ashford, supported the application for the "Alma," Chillham.