Clothes theft (1881)

WATERINGBURY.

ROBBERY OF CLOTHES.—On Monday, at the Malling Petty Sessions, John May, private in the 53rd Regiment, was charged with stealing a pair of trousers, a jacket, and a soldier's uniform left in their place, and a shirt, value 4s., the property of William Crayford, at Wateringbury, on the 7th March. It appeared that on the day named the prisoner went to the Gas works in the uniform of a soldier, and on the following morning the prosecutor discovered that the articles of wearing apparel named in the charge, had been stolen. On the 14th March the prisoner presented himself at the Maidstone Barracks and tried to enlist in the Militia, but being recognised as a deserter from Chatham, he was taken into custody by the Maidstone police and handed over to the county authorities. Prisoner had nothing to say and was committed for trial to the Quarter Sessions. He was also convicted for that he being under police supervision, of three years, did fail to report himself. Superintendent Huls said that prisoner was convicted in 1879 and sentenced to 13 months hard labour and three years' police supervision for horse stealing, after three previous convictions. He was now sentenced to three months hard labour.