From the Kentish Gazette, 1 August 1848.

George Roberts, James Sutton and William Walton, alias Walton Martin, were charged with burglary and stealing 15 bottles of brandy, four bottles of rum, three bottles of catsup, 10lbs. of pork, 7lbs. of cheese, 4lbs. of bread and half-a-pound of butter, value £4, the property of William Culmer, at Stourbridge.

Mr. Rose was for the prosecution; Mr. Horn defended the prisoners.

Mr. Culmer, farmer, at Stourmouth, said that on the 6th June last he went to bed at about a quarter past 11 o'clock; there are two cellars in his house one of which has a window opening into the garden. He had several bottles of brandy, some rum. &c. in the cellar. The next morning he went into the cellar and missed the articles. The lattice work, which separated the cellar, was taken out and one pane of glass in the window, which would enable a person to put his hand through and unfasten the window. He heard no noise during the night. The prisoner Roberts was in his employment on the 10th of June as labourer, and previously was in his service as servant of all work. He was frequently in his house, and would have an opportunity of becoming acquainted with his premises.

By Mr. Horn:— The window was always kept fastened. Had not observed it in the day before. Was quite positive the lattice work was sound the day before.

Jane Roberts, housemaid to prosecutor, said that, on the 16th June she curried some bread and cheese, and part of a neck of pork, into the cellar, about 10 o'clock at night. She did not observe the cellar window to know if it were open or shut. Between seven and eight o’clock the next morning they were gone, and the lattice work was broken. There was also a pane or glass broken in the window. No person, but the servants in the house, had any right into the cellar.

William Morris constable, took prisoner Roberts into custody on the 18th June. On telling him on what charge he apprehended him, he said he should not have done it if it had not been for Walter Martin, who first spoke about it. Witness asked him where he had put the bottles, and he told him he had put them in Martin's lodge under some grass. Martin is the grandfather of Walton, with whom he lives. The lodge was in Marlin's garden; he went to the lodge and could smell brandy very strong; this was about two o’clock on Sunday morning. The bottles were not there. He then called Walton up, and look him into custody at his grandfather's house. He left Walton and Roberts in the house in the charge of another constable. On leaving the house he heard Walton say "He won't find them." He then went and apprehended Sutton. He afterwards went and searched the garden, and found two bottles of catsup, which were covered with some rubbish under the hedge. On the other side of the hedge he found another bottle of catsup.

By Mr. Horn:— Found no brandy; he only smelt brandy.

Wm Tapper, constable, assisted the last witness in taking care of the prisoners. Prisoners Sutton and Walton were in his custody on Monday, the 19th of June, and Sutton said Roberts was the ringleader of it, and James Sutton wished to be served all alike. Although Roberts and Martin entered the cellar, he (Sutton) removed the things. Walton was present and wrote it down.

Thomas, Castle, beershop keeper at Stourmouth, lives five or six rods from Mr. Culmer's house. Prisoners were at his house about twenty minutes after ten o'clock on the night of the 16th of June. They came in together and went out together.

Henry Hogben, a workman to the prosecutor, was in the stable when Roberts came to work on the 17th of June. He appeared to be drunk. He asked where he had been, and he said he had been getting drunk.

John Twyman, another workman to the prosecutor, on the 17th June went out sheaving with Roberts, who went into the shrubbery and brought out a bottle which he took with him and put into the wheat. Witness asked if it was beer and he replied, no; and shortly afterwards laid down for about ten minutes. He then got up, went to the other end of the field, and laid down again.

By Mr. Horn:— This field was about a mile from prosecutor's house.

David Martin, grandfather to Walton, said he got up a little before five o'clock on the morning of the 17th June, and in going down stairs went through Waltons room. He was not in bed. On going out he saw Roberts sitting by the lodge, apparently drunk. He afterwards saw Walton, and asked him if he was not going to his work? He said, "Yes, presently; I am not very well.’" Witness then went to his breakfast, and when he came out again Roberts was gone. Roberts lived about half a mile from his house, and where he saw him would not be in the direction from his house to Mr. Culmer's, where he worked.

The three bottles referred to were produced, and identified by the prosecutor.

Roberts, sentenced to 18 calendar months' hard labour; and Walton and Sutton to one year each.