South Eastern Gazette,10 January, 1860.

THURSDAY-SECOND COURT.

(Before J. 'Espinasse, Esq., Chairman).

A Thief Swallowing several Gold Coins.

Joseph Edwards and George Turner were indicted for having stolen £4 10s., and a handkerchief, on the 9th December, at Chatham, the property of Geo. Mace. Mr. F. J. Smith was for the prosecution.

Caroline Mace, wife of the prosecutor, said that on the 9th inst. she was in the shop in the evening, about 9 o’clock, having £4 10s. in the corner of a handkerchief in her pocket. The money consisted of three half-sovereigns and three sovereigns. The prisoner Edwards came into the shop, and asked to look at a comforter, which was hanging at the top of the window. While getting it down, she felt Edwards put his hand against her pocket. He did not purchase the comforter, but told her to lay it out, and said he would return in a few minutes with the money. After prisoner had gone she missed her money; she then gave information to the police.

Eliza Mace, daughter of last witness, saw Turner a short distance from the shop, and when Edwards left he joined him.

John Stronley, landlord of the "Old Ash Tree," Chatham-hill, said the prisoners called at his house on the evening of the day in question; they said they had come from London.

Superintendent Everist, K.C.C., saw the prisoners in the High-street, Chatham, on the above evening, about a quarter to 9. About a quarter of an hour afterwards he received information of the robbery, and went in search of the prisoners towards Rainham. He overtook them near that place, and charged them with robbing a female in a shop at Chatham, which they denied. Witness then took hold of Edwards, and, believing he had something in his mouth, touched his cheek, when he heard something rattle. He then put his finger in Edwards’s mouth, and felt a coin under his tongue; but he was obliged to withdraw his finger, in consequence of the prisoner biting it; and prisoner must have swallowed all the coins he had in his mouth. Witness, with the assistance of police-constable Hoare, succeeded in taking both prisoners into custody.

P.C. Shonk had the prisoner under his care at the station, and on the 13th December £4 10s. made its appearance. Edwards asked witness at the station whether it would be better for him to plead guilty.

Prosecutor said he gave three sovereigns and three half-sovereigns to his wife; one of the half-sovereigns was marked, and he now identified it. Prosecutor had observed the prisoners watching him before the theft was committed.

Both prisoners were found guilty.

Edwards was sentenced to two years’ hard labour, and Turner to one year’s hard labour and to be once privately whipped.