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From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday 14 July, 1893. 1d.
STEALING AND STABBING
George Harris was charged with stealing from the till of the “Why Not”
1s. in bronze coin and also with cutting and wounding John Vallentine of
Belgrave Road, and Edward Patterson of 1, Clarendon Gardens.
Mrs. Anne Farlie said that her husband kept the “Why Not”
public-house in Worthington's Lane. About five o'clock the prisoner came
into her house. He called for half a pint of beer. Witness served him
and left him in the bar drinking the beer. He sat by the side of the
bar. There was no one else in the bar and on returning there witness saw
the prisoner behind the bar with the till drawn out and the money in his
hand. Witness took the money from his hand and put it back in the till.
It was about 1s. Witness asked him what he was doing behind the bar. He
said he did not work for his living. Witness called to Mr. Ramsey and he
caught the prisoner as he went out of the door. A policeman was sent
for, but in the meantime the prisoner rushed out, and was followed by
Mr. Ramsey.
Henry Ramsey, 5, Worthington's Lane, said he was called into the “Why
Not” by the last witness who said the prisoner had been robbing her
till. Witness took hold of the prisoner and said the best way was to
send for a policeman. When he said this the prisoner tried to get away
and witness went through a window. The prisoner got outside and
struggled till he got away. Witness followed him down Pencester Road and
up Taswell Street. He then pulled a knife out of his pocket and opening
it said “if you do not leave me alone I will knife you.” There were
several other people present. A young man got behind him and threw him
down. Two lads tried to get the knife away. He cut them and witness then
held him down and got the knife away from him. A policeman came and when
they held him up against the wall he said he would serve him the same.
They had a rare job with him before they got him to the station.
John Vallentine, 8, Belgrave Road said he was a painter, and lived at
home with his brother. He was in Mr. Ramsey's shop when he was called
across to the “Why Not.” Witness saw the prisoner get away and followed
him. When the prisoner pulled the knife (produced) out of his pocket
witness was asked to assist in getting it away, and in doing so prisoner
made a splash at his face or chest and witness put his hands to guard
off the blow and got stabbed in the fingers. They bled a good deal and
witness had to go to the Hospital. The doctor said it was a bad cut but
not serious.
Edward Pattison, a boy working at the “Duchess of Kent” said he assisted
the last witness to take the knife away from the prisoner when he
slashed witness's left thumb. Witness went to the Hospital and had it
dressed.
Police-constable Reilly said that he took the prisoner into custody in
Taswell Street. On the way to the Station the prisoner said he was not
going to be b_____ well starved so long as he could get his living by
thieving.
The charge of stealing was only proceeded with, and the prisoner pleaded
“Guilty.”
The Magistrates said that men of prisoner's stamp were a public nuisance
and it was fortunate for him that the question of stabbing was not
proceeded with, as he would have been liable to three years penal
servitude. The prisoner would go to Canterbury for two months.
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