Whitstable Times and Herne Bay Herald, Saturday 2 December 1876.

Wye. Fate of two unpleasant visitors to Wye.

On March last two men named Charles Wilson and Thomas Spilstead (alias Nye), were convicted at the Ashford petty sessions of attempting to pick pockets at Wye Steeplechases, and sentenced to 2 months' hard labour. Spilsted stated at the time that he was a native of Stone, Isle of Oxney. In consequence of photographs forwarded by Superintendent Noakes of Ashford, a man who, under the name of George Wilson, was sentenced at the Old Bailey on October 23rd to 7 years' penal servitude, and another man who, under the name of Walter Smith, was sentence at the same court on November 20th to 5 years' penal servitude, the charge in both cases being the possession of counterfeit coin, were identified as the Charles Wilson and Thomas Spilsted who were convicted here.

It may be remembered that when apprehended on Wye Bridge, Wilson was heard to say "Sling it," upon which Spilsted threw something into the river. On the water being drawn off the next day, 8 counterfeit florins were found. Two other counterfeit florins were found in the till of the "Victoria Inn," Wye, and another counterfeit florin in the till of the "George Inn," Wye, both of which the prisoners have favoured with their custom.