From the Dover Express and East Kent Intelligencer, 11 April, 1879. Price 1d.

CAUTION TO SABBATH BREAKERS

George Bartholomew was summoned on the information of the Superintendent of Police for playing at pitch and toss in Love Lane , on Sunday morning last.

Police-constable Bailey said: On Sunday morning last, about 12 o'clock, I was on duty at Love Lane, when I saw a crowd of men and boys in the Maison Dieu Fields. I watched them and saw the defendant toss something up twice. When they caught sight of me they ran away. I went to the spot where they had been standing and found six half-penny's on the ground. I called out to the defendant to stop but he would not. I told the defendant, on seeing him at the "Admiral Arms," that I should report the case, and he said "All right." They were playing at pitch and toss.

Defendant was fined 1s. and 9s. 6d. costs, in default went to prison for seven days.

("Pitch and Toss" was a game in which players toss coins at a mark, the person whose coin hits closest to the mark tossing all the coins in the air and winning all those that come down heads up.)

From the Dover Express and East Kent Intelligencer, 26 September, 1879. Price 1d.

STEALING A SHIRT

Walter Stammers, a private in the 49th Regiment, was charged with stealing one shirt, value 3s. 6d., from the "Admiral" public-house, Beach Street, the property of the landlord.

Charles Wittams said: I am landlord of the "Admiral" public-house, Beach Street. Yesterday morning about half-past nine the prisoner and another soldier came in my house and walked into the parlour opposite the bar. I asked them what they were doing there and at that time of the day, and they said they had been on duty. I said, "That won't do for me, so you had better be off." I went down stairs into the cellar underneath the parlour, and while there I heard one of the prisoners walk across the room in the direction of the cupboard. I ran upstairs and saw them both in the cupboard. I asked them what they were doing and they said "Nothing." I asked the prisoner what he had under his tunic, and he said, "Nothing." I said I was determined to know and that I should send for the police. He would not show me at first, but afterwards pulled out the shirt produced. I told them they had better be off at once. They left the house immediately. Soon after I gave information to the Garrison Sergeant-Major who came to my house to enquire after the prisoners. We then went in search of the prisoners and found them at the "Providence Tap." I gave the prisoners in charge for stealing the shirt, which I value at 3s. 6d. The other soldier was not given in charge.

Police-constable Fog said: In consequence of something I heard I went with the last witness to the Grand Shaft. he identified the prisoner as having stolen his shirt. The prisoner, who had no shirt on then asked the landlord where his shirt was, and the landlord said he didn't know. In answer to my charging the prisoner with stealing the shirt, he said he knew nothing about it. I then took him to the police-station.

The prisoner pleaded "Not Guilty" stating that he was near the cupboard with the shirt in his hand, but didn't steal it.

A sergeant in the regiment said the prisoners bore a bad character, having been before the military authorities for selling part of his kit. he had only enlisted on the 6th of August.

The Bench sentenced the prisoner to one months' hard labour.