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Kent Times, 12 July 1862.
TUNBRIDGE WELLS. Petty Sessions. Town Hall, Monday. Before H. G. W.
Sperling, Esq. (in the chair), James Deane, F. W. Curteis, Esqrs.,
and the Hon. F. G. Molyneux.
Stealing a shawl at Pembury.
Harriett Card, a girl about 16 years of age, was charged with having
stolen a shawl, value 1s. 6d., the property of Harriett Hammond, on
the 23rd of Jane at Pembury.
The prosecutrix said a fortnight ago I saw the prisoner outside
"King William" beer-house, at Pembury. She said she was going to
East Grinstead, but as it was so late, it being half-past nine
o’clock, she could not get there that night, and she asked me to
lodge her. I said I had no home of my own, being only a housekeeper.
Mr. Piggot said she might sit up in the kitchen, and I lent her my
shawl to wrap herself up in. I asked her if she would stop and have
some breakfast in the morning, and she said she would not have time,
as she must get on the road. I saw her leave the house about twenty
minutes to six in the morning, and in about a quarter of an hour
afterwards I missed my shawl. I came after her to Tunbridge Wells,
but could not find her. The shawl produced is the one I lent her.
Mr. Dance, superintendent of police at Tonbridge, deposed:- On the
24th of June I received information of the robbery, and went after
the prisoner, whom I found in her father's house at Forest-row on
Sunday. I told her the charge, and she made no reply. I said if the
shawl was not found I must search the house for it. She then took it
down from behind the door, and said she intended to take it back
again.
The prisoner stated she took the shawl because it was a rainy
morning, and she thought the prosecutrix would lend it to her. The
reason why she did not take it back was because her father would not
let her.
The prosecutrix said it was very fine when the girl left the house.
The prisoner’s father, who, after some hesitation, chose to have the
case summarily dealt with, complained that his daughter was left all
night by the prosecutrix in a room with two men.
The prosecutrix denied this statement, but the girl said it was
true.
The chairman said it was a poor return on the part of the prisoner
towards the prosecutrix to steal her shawl.
Mr. Deane said he did not think the prosecutrix came well out of the
case, being inclined to believe the girl's statement.
The prisoner was committed for 14 days.
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