Leney employee of 15 years charged with theft (1869).

Post date: Feb 29, 2012 10:45:9 AM

Extract from Kentish Gazette 2nd February 1869.

WATERINGBURY. Stealing and Receiving Chaff.—At the Magistrates'Office, Rochester, on Tuesday before Captain Savage, Rev. J. J. Marsham, Colonel Bingham, C.B., and T. H. Baker, Esq., Newman Latter and Wm. Wood were brought up on remand ; the former charged with stealing a bag containing three bushels of chaff, the property of Messrs. Leney, Wateringbury, and the latter prisoner, who keeps the Rose and Crown, Lower Hailing, near the church, was charged with receiving the same, knowing it to be stolen.

Mr. J. Bassett appeared on behalf of both prisoners.—P.C. George Webster said from suspicion he watched the Rose and Crown, Lower Halling, the 13th inst., and heard the two prisoners conversing together. A dray belonging to Messrs. Leney, was standing outside the Rose and Crown. Witness heard Wood ask Newman if he had got anything: the reply being, only a little rough stuff. Witness afterwards heard Wood say " Let me have it." There were a few other words spoken which witness did not catch. Latter then said "As you like." After some more whispering, Wood went down into the cellar and opened the cellar flap. Latter then came out of the house, and took a bag off the dray and put it down the cellar window to Wood. As soon that was done, Latter returned to his horses. Witness heard Wood afterwards ask Latter if ht had got any corn. The answer was " No." Wood closed the cellar and came up to the bar, Latter going indoors to the bar, and witness followed him in, and saw Wood near the bar. Witness asked Wood what it was Latter had put down the cellar to him. Latter replied he was going to put half a barrel porter down. Witness asked see what Latter had put down. Wood went with witness down the cellar, and pointing ou the bag of chaff now produced, which was lying on a barrel, said that is what he put down, saying it was put there to lay half a barrel porter on. Wood then opened the cellar-flap, and Latter came into the cellar by that way. Witness asked him if he had any porter to deliver. Latter said no, but he expected his mate to bring it who was coming behind. Witness asked him what he called that which was the bag; he said only a little rough stuff he had left. Witness said he should take possession and report the case to Mr. Leney. Latter followed witness out the house, and said " Don't take it away—don't take any notice of it this time ; you do shall safe to get discharged. It is the first time I ever did it; and I should not have done it this time if I had not have been asked. I have been under Mr. Leney fifteen years and never did it before." Witness by the wish of the prisoner Latter examined the horses' nose-bags; they had plenty of corn but scarcely any chaff. Witness found the name Leney and Son upon the bag of chaff produced. On the 14th inst. he apprehended the prisoner Latter near Wateringbury station ; he said it never would have happened if it had not been for that half barrel of porter.

Mr. Charles Frederick Leney having been examined, and Mr. Bassett having addressed the Magistrates, the Bench decided upon sending the case for trial at the ensuing Quarter Sessions at Maidstone. Bail in thesum of £40 and two sureties the sum of £20 for each prisoner, was put in, and approved of by the Bench, tbe defendants afterwards leaving the court with their friends.