Cob-nut theft (1868)

Post date: Mar 21, 2013 10:55:56 AM

Extract from Maidstone Telegraph, 14th November 1868.

Stealing Cob Nuts

On Sunday last, Thomas Adams, 13. labourer, was apprehended by P.C. Millin, at Wateringbury, charged with stealing ten and a half pounds of cob nuts, value 8s.9d. the property of Francis Goodwin, Esq., farmer, Wateringbury. For some time past, the bailiff had missed several things from the oast house, and suspected robberies had been committed. Last Sunday he watched the building, and saw the prisoner leave the house with the nuts in his possession. The lad was handed over to the constable, who took him before R. Tassell, Esq.. at Malling, on the following day, when he was remanded to Tuesday. Prisoner was brought up at the Police Court, the magistrates present being the Hon. and Rev. E. V. Bligh, and R. Tassell, Esq., and sent to prison for one month's hard labour. Mr Tassell severely censured the lad's father, who he said neglected looking after the boy.