From the Whitstable Times and Herne Bay Herald. 19 October 1867. Price 1d.

Ezekiel Parsons, a private soldier, of the 3rd Buffs (Light Infantry), was charged with having stolen about 15 shillings from a box which had been broken open in a bed-room at the “Prince of Wales,” in Sandgate, the property of Eliza Doulin, a lodger at the house above-named.

Mr. Biron prosecuted.

Mr. Zugarman stated he was the landlord of the "Prince of Wales," and that the prosecutrix lodged with him. That the accused was drinking at his house during the whole of the afternoon of the 26th August. At seven o'clock he said he had no more money, when asked to pay for a pot of beer he had ordered. Witness was about to take the beer back, when some other person in the room paid for it. Later in the evening he saw the prisoner coming from Doulin's bedroom. He told him (the prisoner) that he could have no business there. The prisoner made no excuse, but passed down stairs and left the house. By witness telling Doulin where he had seen the accused, she went to her room and discovered her loss.

Eliza Doulin said that she found her box, which was in her bedroom, broken open, and from 15 to 17 shillings had been taken from it.

Prisoner was afterwards apprehended, the same evening, at the “British Flag” beerhouse, spending money, and on being searched by P.C. Bichard Bowden about 3s. was found upon him.

Defendant denied the charge, and spoke of immoral proceedings carried on at the "Prince of Wales;" and the jury, after a brief consultation, gave him the "benefit of the doubt,” and acquitted him.