From the Sevenoaks Chronicle and Kentish Advertiser 13 January 1922.

CHARGE OF FALSE PRETENCES.

Samuel George Wratten dealer and greengrocer, formerly of Ospringe, was charged with obtaining by false pretences 25 chickens, 15 geese and 5 ducks from Alfred Richards, at Hawkhurst, on  November 23rd.

Prosecutor, who is a fishmonger, said he advertised some fowls for sale on 19th November, and on the 21st accused made an appointment for him to come and meet him at Robertsbridge on the following day. he saw him there and accused agreed to give him 11s. 6d. per head for 15 geese, 6s. 6d. per head for 25 chickens, and 7s. 6d. per head for 5 ducks, which he agreed to pay for when he took them away. He told witness he was a fruit merchant, and made a lot of money. He thought he was  genuine. Accused fetched the fowls the following day, when prosecutor lent him 10s., as he said he was short of hard cash. Accused paid him a cheque on Barklays Bank for £17 17s. 6d. for the fowls, including 10s., the money borrowed, and 10s. for the crates which prosecutor had provided. he would not take a receipt saying that a cheque was as good as a receipt. The cheque was cashed for him by Mr. Edwards, ironmonger, of Hawkhurst, but on being presented was returned from the Bank marked "R.D." Accused wrote to him from Ospringe stating that if the cheque was returned to send it back to him, as his account at that bank was very low, but he had since sent some cheques through. if it was returned he said he would pay him in full on the following Wednesday when he was to bring him some potatoes, but did not do so.

Alfred Edward Buck, clerk at the Southend branch of Messr. Barklays Bank, proved that accused opened an account there on 28th September last. he only made one payment of £5. The following day he withdrew £3 10s. which, with 10s. for his cheque book, left only £1 to his credit. About a dozen cheques had since been presented and returned, with the exception of one for £1 on 21st October, which cleared the account. There had been no balance since that date.

P.C. Frank Golding, of Charing, said he saw accused in Charing on 30th December. He went after him and arrested him at the "Olive Branch Inn," Westwell, and took him to Ashford Police Station.

Detective Constable Smith of Cranbrook proved receiving prisoner from Ashford Police.

Prisoner was committed for trial at the Assizes.

Superintendent Russell said there were two other warrants on similar charges against him.

The Bench fixed bail at £100 and two sureties of £100 each.