Kentish Gazette, 23 February 1847.

HIGHWAY ROBBERY.

The neighbourhood of Maidstone, Tenterden, and Ashford has, during this winter, been infested with a gang of men who have committed several highway robberies. The evenings of the markets have been generally selected. On Friday week, as Mr. Avann, of Tenterden, and Mr. Pearson, of Halden, were walking home from Tenterden Market, between six and seven o'clock, they were stopped by five men on the turnpike road leading to Ashford, about two miles out of Tenterden. Mr. Avann offered some resistance to the two who seized him, on which a third came to their help, but they could get only a few shillings from his pocket while they kept him down with his head in the hedge. Mr. Pearson was thrown down by the other two men, who emptied his pockets, taking a watch, a £5 Bank of England note, and about £5 in gold and silver, with several papers, letters, and memoranda. The men went by an adjoining field towards Woodchurch.

Mr. Hilder, jun., of Kingsnorth was returning home from Tenterden, with Mr. Mills, of Aldington, and another neighbour, in a chaise cart, and information was given to them of the robbery. Mr. Hilder parted from his companions near his father's residence, and in going down a footpath he overtook five men walking towards Ashford—one of them asked him whether they were in the right path to Ashford. Mr. Hilder succeeded the men, and instead of going home he cut across the fields to overtake the friends he had just left, and tell them of what he had just seen. They drove towards Ashford slowly, expecting the men to overtake them. Mr. Hilder gave notice to the police in Ashford, and wailed for the arrival of the up train at the railway station, but they never saw the men again.

It has since been learned that the five men slept at a beer shop on the road just out of Ashford; in the morning they walked to the Wye station, and came to Canterbury by the first down train. A young man coming to Canterbury from Tenterden, on business, saw them, and suspected them as the parties concerned in the robbery. He tracked them about Canterbury for a time. The police from Ashford followed in a later train, but there was no one who could give any description of the follows, or state what had been stolen. Mr. Odden and Mr. Brickmam, two of the parties in pursuit of the men, saw five suspicions looking men, sitting, and some playing at cards at the "Navy Arms" public house, in Ivy Lane. One of them must have known Mr. Odden, or they must have scented the move, for while he and his companions were gone for assistance, the five made off.

The pursuers were returning home by the last up-train on Saturday evening, disappointed at not having taken the robbers, when, just before the train started, two rough looking men came in for tickets to Tonbridge, and were instantly identified as two of the five who had been seen together throughout the day, and were consequently taken into custody. One of them gave his name Heasman and the other is named Piety. On being searched at the station about £4 in gold and silver were found upon them. They were
conveyed to Ashford, and had up for examination at Messrs. Furley and Mercer’s office on Monday. Messrs. Avann and Pearson could not identify them, on which they were remanded until Thursday.

One of the Canterbury police has since traced a £5 note, which was cashed by Messrs Solly and Martin for the landlord of the "Navy Arms," who received it from one of the five men.Five men were seen on the Friday going from Maidstone towards Tenterden. One of them was overheard to say on the road, that if he did not have any better luck he would not go out again; and they were seen by one or two persons near the spot where the robbery took place. The police are in search of the three not yet taken. A reward of £45 is offered for their conviction. They are believed to belong to Maidstone. The tallest of them is a "navvy," about 5ft. 11in., dark hair, had on a dark green gabardine worked behind and before, and a dark cloth cap; the second man is about 5ft 9in., dark hair, has the appearance of a sailor, had on a dark blue waistcoat with dark linen sleeves, and a round brim hat; the third is about 5ft. 8in, has weak eyes, and light hair, and wore a hat with a small piece of crape, and a coat like a gamekeepers. The three men are between thirty and forty years of age. We hope, by the vigilance of the police throughout the county, to hear of their apprehension.

On Thursday the prisoners underwent a further examination before the Rev. N. Toke and Dr. Carter, at Ashford. Witnesses were called who saw the five men on the road from Maidstone to Tenterden, and near the spot where the robbery took place. They were then traced to Ashford, and thence to the "Navy Arms," Ivy-lane, Canterbury. The £5 note that was stolen, and cashed by Messrs. Solly and Marten, has been identified. The two prisoners have been committed to take their trial at the next assizes, and Allwright has given sureties for his appearance to answer any charge of receiving the note, knowing it to have been stolen.

Kentish Gazette, 23 March 1847.

KENT LENT ASSIZES.

The trials at these assizes commenced on Tuesday last, before Lord Chief Justice Wilde in the Crown Court, and Lora Denman in the Nisi Prius Court. The calendar contained 112 prisoners, none of whom were indicted for offences of any great enormity. The cause list contained 41 cases, of which 16 were set down for special juries.

William Piety and Abel Hartman, were indicted for a robbery, with violence, upon James Pearson.

Mr. Deedes and Mr. Rose prosecuted, and Mr. Meller defended the prisoners.

It appeared from the evidence that the prosecutor is a farmer residing in the neighbourhood of Tenterden, and on the 12th of February he was returning home from market, on foot, accompanied by another farmer, named Avann, when they were attacked by five men, who used considerable violence towards them, and the prosecutor was robbed of a £5 note, his watch, and some gold and silver money. The men all got away, but they were traced to Canterbury and other places, and the prisoners were soon afterwards apprehended, when they were identified, part of the stolen property was traced to their possession.

The Jury convicted both the prisoners, and Piety, who had been before convicted of felony, was sentenced to be transported for 15, and the other for 10 years.

Kentish Gazette, 30 March 1847.

KENT LENT ASSIZES.

(concluded from our last.)

William Piety and Able Haisman, for assaulting and violently stealing, from the persons of John Avann and James Pearson, one five pound bank note, several pieces of gold and silver coin, one silver watch, and other articles, their property, at Tenterden.

Mr. Deedes, with whom was Mr. Rose, for the prosecution, Mr. Meller defended Haisman.

Thomas Tolburst examined:- Kept the Otham turnpike-gate on the road leading from Maidstone to Tenterden. On the 12th of Feb. between two and three o'clock, five men passed through the gate, two of whom were the prisoners. They were going towards Tenterden. heard Piety say, "lf I have no luck tonight, I shall give it up altogether."

Cross examined:- Heard there were two men in custody some days afterwards, and upon seeing them at the office, identified them at once. Haisman was dressed as he is at present, with a cap on.

George Bugden examined:- Was a farmer at Tenterden. on the 12th of Feb. he was at Tenterden market. he left a little before six, and took the turnpike road to Maidstone. When some distance from Tenterden, he noticed five men going in the direction he had left. Afterwards saw eight or ten men in Maidstone gaol, and witness identified the prisoner Haisman among them, as being one of the five men he had seen.

George Thomas is a farmer at Biddenden, and left Tenterden market on the day in question. met five men on the road, one of whom he has no doubt was the prisoner Haisman, but he would not swear positively to him. James Pearson is a brickmaker, living at High Halden, three miles from Tenterden. On the 12th of Feb, he was at Tenterden market. He left about six o'clock, and a few rods out of Tenterden he fell in with Mr. Avann, and they walked on from Tenterden. When about two miles from Tenterden they perceived five men approaching them. As they came up he was alongside two of them, and soon afterwards he fell two hands or arms across his face, apparently the hands of two persons, and immediately he was struck
in the face and fell, the two men falling upon him. His head was held to the ground, with a hand over his eyes and he felt a hand plunged into his right hand pocket, which was hastily withdrawn. One man then left him the others continuing to rifle his pockets. His watch was then abstracted, and while they were undoing his trowser, he said "You seem troubled to get the watch, if you leave go I could get it directly." His coat and waistcoats and pockets were then rifled, and he asked for his pocket books, saying they were no use to them. The men soon afterwards sprung up, and believing one of then, went toward, his (witness's.) house, he followed him. Soon afterwards, he came to a man near the hedge with his coat covered with snow. Thinking this to be one of the men who robbed him witness demanded his books. He then perceived him to be Avann. They saw several men in advance, and Avann said "We shall be too fast." Witness however, told him to ran on, and they met one or two persons but found no trace of the men. Witness afterwards gave information at the Headcorn station. Lost a £5 note which he had received that afternoon, a silver watch and chain, an old sixpence, part of a key, and about £5 in gold and silver. Had paid some money to a person named Mapleden, in the afternoon, and received some silver in change. he had neither parted with the note or the money previous to his being attacked. Early ion the following morning, himself and other men went to the spot where he had been robbed, and traced footsteps into the hedge where he had found Avann. Footsteps of five men abreast were visible in the fields near in the direction of Woodchurch.

Cross examined:— Could not say how the men were dressed.

John Avann, farmer, reading near Tenterden, examines:- About half past six o’clock on the evening of the 12th Feb he was proceeding from Tenterden market, and when a very short distance out of the town Mr Pearson came up will, him, and they walked on together. They had not proceeded far when they perceived five men approaching them. There was snow on the road and a snow plough had cleared a space in the middle of the road. He was not inclined to give the men all the road, and as they came up even with them three of them seized him, and knocked him down. He told them somebody would come along, but they took no notice and rifled his pockets. They took from him a highway rate receipt. Would not swear to the men. They appeared to be dressed in dark clothes. Laid in the hedge till Pearson came up and found him — he then accompanied Pearson in pursuit of the robbers.

Cross-examined:— At first took the men for soldiers, seeing so many together. It was rather dark — could not say how the men were
dressed. Saw no sticks. They seemed to to rather frightened when they attacked him.

John Mannering a farmer, at Woodchurch, stated that day morning, the 14th February, he was on the road between Tenterden and Woodchurch, when he picked up the receipt produced about ten miles from Tenterden.

[Mr. Avann identified the receipt as the one he had lost.]

Jane Cramp examined:— She was at her sisters at Shadoxhurst, on the 12th of February. There was a footpath near, leading to Woodchurch, and at about nine o'clock at night she heard several persons talking, as if they had lost their road. Soon afterwards a man came to the window of the house and asked the road to Ashford. Witness asked the men where he had come from and he said from the Tenterden road. Told him the road to Ashford. He had a hat on and a dark coat.

Thomas Hilder, farmer, of Kingnorth examined:- Returned from Tenterden market on the night in question, with two other persons. Met Mr. Avann on the rood, who said he had been robbed. Got out of the cart soon afterwards, and while walking towards his father's house at Kingsnorth, met five men, who asked the road to Ashford. Afterwards gave information to the Police at Ashford.John Elgar examined:— Kept a beer-shop half way between Ashford and Kingsnorth. On the evening of the 12th of February, about half past ten o'clock, five parsons came to his house. They enquired for his lodgings, two coming in first, who called three others afterwards. The two prisoners were two of the persons. Refreshment was supplied them in the tap room. One of witness's lodgers asked them where they came from, and they said they had come from Dover, and were going to Maidstone but had taken the wrong direction. The prisoner Haisman afterwards paid for the supper with two half-crowns, one of which had a hole through it. Witness cleared a room for them where they all slept. A person not present paid for the beds and breakfast was provided for them in the morning, for which Haisman paid. One of the men, not present, had a watch chain passing from his watch pocket over the waistband of his trowsers inside, in the morning. They left in the morning about eight o'clock. Their boots and stockings, which were wet, they dried and their trowsers. The man who had the chain wore a blue coat and waistcoat, and a hat. Another wore a sleeve waistcoat.

Cross-examined:— Haisman paid him the two half crowns for the supper. Could not say what other money he had received. Noticed one had a hole in it, and he put it into a pocket separately.

Charles Maplesden, wheelwright, at Tenterden, saw Mr. Pearson at Tenterden on the 12th of February, who paid him £12 in notes and gold, and witness gave him 6s. 6d. change, in which was two half-crowns. He had only two half-crowns, one of which had a hole in it, and he gave them both to Mr. Pearson. The half-crown produced he believed to be the same.

Cross examined:— Had no other half crowns in his pocket. It was not common for half-crowns to have holes in them.

John Keshy, blacksmith, at Tenterden, examined:— On the 13th of February he went to Kennington, through Ashford. Was at Ashford about eight in the morning. After passing Ashford he came to a house called the "Golden Ball." Two men were coming towards Canterbury from Ashford and three afterwards they passed him. Two of the three who passed him were the two prisoners, and he gave information soon afterwards.

Cross-examined:— Had previously heard of the robbery, and suspected they were the parties.

Henry Tamkin, butcher, at Tenterden, was in Canterbury or the 13th of February. Got into a third class carriage on the railway at Ashford. Five men came in at the Wye station. Had heard of the robbery, and he suspected them. The prisoners were two of the men. They got out at Canterbury, and walked away by two, one remaining behind. Had seen them all before.

Cross-examined:— Three had hats and two caps.

Re-examined:— Would swear to the dress of the two prisoners One wore a velvet jacket and hat.

Henry Allwright, landlord of the "Navy Arms," Ivy-lane, Canterbury, examined:— Was at home on Saturday, the 13th of February, and about twelve o’clock in the morning a man dressed in a velvet shooting jacket came into the sitting-room of his house, and asked for some beer. He inquired if he (witness) had seen any of his (prisoners) party there. Asked where he came from that morning, and he said from Dover. He said some of his party were in the town, and he asked witness to accompany him to find them, as they were strangers in the town. As they walked along the man said they had a note they had found and would he change it. Witness said he must look at it first. The man owed witness some money, and he said he might deduct a part of it. They saw some men in St. Georges-street. and his companion said, "Here they come, let's turn back." They then went home, and soon afterwards the man went out and brought Haisman in, saying "This is the man you're to speak to." Witness and Haisman then went into the stable, and Haisman said, producing a note, "This is the note we’ve found, will you change it?" Witness asked to look at it, but Haisman would not allow him till he saw him count out the money, saying he was to give him £4 10s for it. They then went from the stable into the room they had left, and witness gave him the money and received the note. The man who first called was in the room when they returned, and soon afterwards three other men came in. The prisoner Piety was one of them. One of them said. "Is it all right?" apparently speaking to Haisman or the other. No answer was made, and Haisman went out into the stable, four others followed him. They all returned in about a quarter of an hour, when they drank together, but witness overheard no conversation One of the five, wearing a sleeve waistcoat, produced a silver watch, asking witness, to purchase it, but he declined purchasing it. Witness left his house between two and three o’clock, leaving the prisoners there, and he saw no more of them. Gave the note to his wife, who is unable to attend; she passed it to Mr. Solly, butcher. On the Sunday morning one of the men came to him, and asked if he had changed the note, and witness replied that he had. The man wished to get it back again, saying there was some mistake as to where it came from. Witness never had the note afterwards. The name of Longley was written upon the note. The one produced is the same, and is the one which he had from Haisman.

Cross examined:— The two men said they had found the note. One was dressed in a velvet coat, and the other was the prisoner Haisman. Has before said that the men stated they found the note.

By the prisoner Piety:- Does not know what he said before the magistrates at Ashford. He was then in a state of excitement.

Piety here desired that Allwrights statement before the magistrates should be read, in which he said that two men in shooting jackets came to his house and changed the note, and that he gave them the full change, excepting about 17d. [This statement differed materially from his evidence on the previous occasion.]

Re-examined:— The above statement was made at Ashford. He was in a great state of excitement when the policeman came to him., fearing he should lose his character, which was the only way he could account for the difference in his statements. Had kept his house six years.

By the Court:- Thought he had lost his character, as several persons in Canterbury accused him or buying the note, knowing it to
have been stolen.

George Pierce, labourer, was living at Allwright's house the 12th of February. Went home about twelve o'clock on that day when he saw two men in the sitting-room, one of whom was the prisoner Haisman. Soon afterwards Haisman gave Mr. Allwright a note, which Mr. Allright changed. Three other men came in afterwards, one of whom was the prisoner Piety. One said, "How do you get on?" and Haisman answered that it was all right, and beckoned them to go out, and Haisman followed them. Witness afterwards saw the five men in a stable used by him. He heard one of them say, "Here's thirty for you, and thirty for you," which was all he heard, and all returned to the room. They appeared to he dissatisfied with each other, and one said to another, "If you talk any more about it, I'll knock your head off." Witness was at Allwright's house on the Sunday morning following. One of the men came and spoke to Allwright on that morning.

Cross examined:— Was in the stable when he overheard the conversation. Haisman said "Here's thirty for you," &c.

Re-examined:— Picked out the prisoners from several he saw in the Gaol.

By the Court:— They were talking when he went into the stable, and they look no notice of him.

James Hodden, miller, of Great Chart, examined:— Had heard of the robbery, and assisted to search for the prisoners in Canterbury on the 15th of February. Saw five men in the "Navy Arms;" two were playing at cards. The prisoners were two of them. The prisoners saw him come into the room. Gave information to the police. Knew Piety previously.

Henry Vile, constable of Ashford, examined:— Went to Canterbury on Saturday, the 13th of February, and in consequence of information he had received he went to the "Navy Arms" to look for the five men, but they had left. Was at the railway station soon after six o'clock, and while there the two prisoners came in and asked for tickets to Tonbridge. Witness immediately took them into custody. Upon Haisman was found two sovereigns, two half sovereigns, a fourpenny piece, and some halfpence. I told them what they were taken into custody for, and Piety said that he had not been to Ashford since the fair at Michaelmas.

Re-examined:— Had known Piety for years.

Croucher examined:- Assisted in taking the prisoners into custody. Found upon Piety one sovereign, and some silver and copper.

Stephen Marten examined:— Was in partnership with Mr. Solly, butcher, at Canterbury. Recollected Mrs. Allwright purchasing some goods on Saturday night, the 13th of February, for which she gave him the £5 note produced, and which he changed.

Witnesses were then called who proved the note to have been in the possession of the prosecutor, Pearson, on the afternoon of the 12th of February, who stated that he had not parted with the note till he was robbed of it.

Mr. Meller having addressed the jury in defence of Haisman, Piety in his defence denied all knowledge of the robbery.

The learned Judge having summed up. The Jury almost immediately returned a verdict of Guilty against both prisoners.

A previous conviction for wounding one of the Maidstone police was proved against Piety. Haisman had also been convicted of poaching and other offences.

The learned Judge, in passing sentence, said the only extenuating circumstance was the absence of violence; otherwise they would have been transported for life. His lordship then sentenced Haisman to ten years' transportation, and Piety to fourteen years' transportation.

South Eastern Gazette, 24 July, 1860.

Fall of Earth on the London, Chatham, and Dover Railway.

On Tuesday last a young man named John Salmons, residing at the "Navy Arms," in Ivy-lane, was received into the Kent and Canterbury Hospital, having met with an accident whilst engaged at the works connected with the London, Chatham, and Dover Railway. It appeared that he was employed at No. 3 cutting, near Little Barton, when a quantity of earth fell, and severely fractured his left leg. On his arrival at the hospital prompt assistance was rendered by the medical and other officers of the establishment, and the fractured leg was set.