Kentish Gazette, 27 January 1857.

A foreigner named Antonio Polaski, formerly a bugler in the British Swiss Legion, was examined on Monday by the borough magistrates, on a charge of having stolen a great coat, three silver table spoons, and other articles, the property of Richard Bromley, of the "Swan Inn." (Dover) The prosecutor related that the premises were forcibly entered on the 2nd inst. — the till emptied, four great coats, two bottles of gin, a box of cigars, three spoons, and other things stolen.

Thomas Denne, landlord of the "Wellington," Canterbury, deposed that the prisoner came to his house on the 14th inst., and requested him to advance half-a-crown on two table spoons, as the pawnbrokers’ shops were closed, and he wanted to go to Dover. On Inspector Spratt making inquiry about a coat, witness gave up the spoons, and told him of what had occurred.

Inspector Spratt confirmed this, and detailed the particulars of his apprehension of the prisoner, and finding in his room a silver spoon and the duplicate of a coat which he had pledged.

Mary Ann Carpenter stated the particulars of the prisoner's pledging with her a coat and a handkerchief — which were sworn to by the prosecutor, and prisoner was committed for trial.

On Wednesday the prisoner underwent examination on other charges — among them for breaking into the house of a person named Scott, from which he stole a Dutch clock and other articles; and sundry dresses from the residence of Mr. Waterman. He was committed for trial on the first charge, and on the second with a female named Mary Heath, with whom he had been living in Canterbury, to the Dover sessions.

From the Kentish Gazette, 13 October 1857.

FRIDAY. (Before the Mayor and D. Matthews, Esq.)

James Baker, a private in the 7th Dragoon Guards, was charged with stealing a pair of boots and a pair of spurs, the property of corporal W. Chambers, of the 3rd Dragoons. Frederick Medhurst was also brought up on a charge of unlawfully receiving the same.

Corporal Chambers identified the boots and spurs as his property, and described the circumstances under which he lost them.

P.C. Holloway said that from information he received he went to the "Wellington" public house and saw Medhurst who took him to his house in Cotton Mill Lane, and then gave him the boots produced. He said he had bought them from a man in nine pin alley.

Robert Mouteith, a private in the 7th Dragoons, examined:— Last week the prisoner had 2 pair of boots in his possession. Prisoner told me that he had sold a pair of boots at the "Wellington" for 12s. and if he had a dozen pair he could sell them at the same place. I can swear the boots produced are those I saw in the prisoners possession. , Yesterday I took one of the spurs produced from the prisoners boot and gave it to Chambers.

The prisoner pleaded "not guilty," and having been cautioned, made a statement to the effect that nine days before a young man in civilian’s dress, but with regimental overalls on, came to the barracks and offered the spurs produced for sale, and he, prisoner, bought them for 1s., in the presence of a soldier named Harper, of the C troop. The man then offered to sell him a pair of boots, saying he had no use for them, as he was going to "step it" (desert.) At the evening stables the man brought the boots, and he (prisoner) bought them for 7s. 6d., in the presence of a soldier named Martin Kelpy. Prisoner took them to the barracks, and a week afterwards he told his comrades that he would go and sell them to get money for a "spree," and so he went to the "Wellington" and sold them to Medhurst. The prisoner said he could identify the man he bought them of if he saw him.

The Bench directed the men Harper and Kelpy to be sent for, and Captain Turton, of the 3rd, who was present, sent the prisoner in charge of a Serjeant-Major of the 3rd to the barracks, with orders for the whole troop to be turned out, that the prisoner might point out the man who he said had sold him the boots.

After some delay the Sergeant-Major returned and said the prisoner had fixed upon a most respectable young man named Dowle, who had lately joined the regiment.

The prisoner having been again placed at the bar, Henry Harper, private of the 7th, was examined, and deposed that eight or nine days ago he saw the prisoner buy a pair of spurs similar to those produced from a man in plain clothes, with regimental overalls on. He heard them converse about buying a pair of boots. He should not know the man again.

In reply to Captain Turton, witness said he slept in the Guard Room last night. Prisoner was also there, but in another part of the room. They had no conversation together.

It was stated that the other man, Kelpy, referred to by the prisoner, was in Hospital and could not attend.

George Dowle, private in the 3rd, deposed that he had never sold the prisoner any boots, and did not know him.

The prisoner could not swear to Dowle as the man he bought the boots from; but he was like the man. Harper said he did not recognise Dowle.

Private Monteith and Corporal Chambers being re-examined, both deposed that the prisoner had stated to them that he brought the second pair of boots with him from the 6th Enniskillens, from which regiment prisoner had volunteered to the 7th.

The prisoner was committed for trial at the Quarter Sessions.

The case against Frederick Medhurst was found to be under the jurisdiction of the County Magistrates, the house in which the goods were found being just outside the Borough bounds.

South Eastern Gazette, 26 June, 1860.

Alleged Case of Watch Stealing.

At the city petty sessions on Thursday last, Thomas Denne (landlord of the "Wellington" public house in Broad-street) John Taylor, and John Clarke (two, disbanded militiamen), were charged with having stolen a gold watch, value 40 guineas, he property of John Merryweather, a sub-contractor on the London, Chatham, and Dover Railway.

From the evidence given by the prosecutor, it appeared that at about 9 o'clock on the previous night he went into the house kept by the prisoner Denne, and had something to drink, and in the tap-room he saw the two other prisoners, Clarke and Taylor. He (prosecutor) was sitting on a table in a "dosing state," when the prisoner Clarke left the room. Denne then went in, took hold of the table on which the prosecutor was sitting, and tried to throw him off. Denne and Taylor afterwards caught hold of him, one on each side and when he was about to go out of the room, he met Clarke, who threatened to strike him. Prosecutor then felt Denne take hold of his watch, and on seizing his hand he found it contained his watch. All parties then left the room, and the prosecutor gave information to the police. At the time of hearing the case, the watch had not been found and the prisoners were consequently remanded till Monday, bail being refused.

South Eastern Gazette, 26 June, 1860.

The Watch Stealing Case.

Yesterday (Monday) Thomas Denne, licensed victualler, John Clarke and John Taylor, labourers, were brought before the magistrates on remand, charged with stealing a gold watch, value 50 guineas, from the person of John Merryweather, a railway sub-contractor. Mr. T. T. Delasaux appeared for the prosecution, and Mr. Mourilyan, of Sandwich, defended the prisoner Denne. The former evidence having been read over, prosecutor added, in cross-examination, that he was not drunk, though he might have been into five or six public-houses previously. He swore positively that it was Denne who took the watch; but he did not give him in charge because he was told he should have the watch back again. Inspector Spratt proved finding the watch buried in a cup, and wrapped in paper, at the premises of the prisoner Taylor’s father, in Burgate-lane. Clarke here said he was the man who took the watoh, which was dangling out of prosecutor’s pocket, while he was struggling with some navvies). Sergeant Else said he went to Denne’s house; prosecutor charged the latter with having his watch, which Denne denied. Prosecutor also pointed out a man named Whittaker as one who had assisted in robbing him, but afterwards admitted that he was mistaken, and then pointed out Clark and Taylor. Prosecutor was three-parts drunk, and when asked at the station if he had any particular charge to press against either of the prisoners? said, "None whatever," and they were then all discharged.

Mr. Mourilyan then addressed the Bench, on behalf of the prisoner Denne, contending that there was not such evidence against his client as would justify the magistrates in imposing upon him imprisonment until the sessions, but the magistrates committed all of the prisoners for trial at the quarter sessions. They, however, consented to accept bail, which was found for the prisoner Denne.

South Eastern Gazette, 10 July, 1860.

The summer quarter sessions for this city and borough were held before John Deedes, Esq., Recorder, at the Guildhall, on Wednesday last.

Thomas Denne, licensed victualler, John Taylor and John Clarke, labourers, were conjointly indicted for stealing a gold watch, value 40 guineas, from the person of John Meryweather, at St. Mary, Northgate, on the 20th June last. Mr. Barrow prosecuted; Mr. Bussell defended Denne. Clarke pleaded guilty. The other prisoner was undefended.

The evidence adduced was substantially the same as that given at the examinations before the magistrates, and reported by us a fortnight since.

Three witnesses were called for the defence of Denne, who stated that the accused did not commit the offence imputed to him.

The Recorder carefully summed up, and the jury retired to consider their verdict. After being locked up for nearly five hours, they found a verdict of guilty against Taylor, but acquitted Denne.

Clarke and Taylor were sentenced to twelvemonths' hard labour.

South Eastern Gazette, 18 September, 1860.

Stealing Money from the Person.

Yesterday, before the city justices, William King was charged with stealing 5s. from the person of Charles Stiff, a bricklayer, on Sunday afternoon. The prosecutor had gone to the "Wellington" public-house, about three o’clock, and after staying in the tap-room for about 20 minutes went up stairs into a bed-room to see a man named Crip. Here he lay down on the bed and fell asleep till aroused by the prisoner groping in his pockets, and on getting up he found that he had been robbed of two half-crowns. He reclaimed that amount of King, and on his refusal to give it up called a policeman to whom prisoner was given in custody. Prisoner now pleaded guilty, and was sentenced to one month’s imprisonment.