Stealing cobnuts (1869)

Post date: Mar 18, 2013 8:42:19 PM

Extract from Maidstone Telegraph, 18th September 1869

STEALING COB-NUTS

Edward Garman was charged with stealing a half-pound of cob-nuts, value 2d, the property Mr Ongley, Wateringbury. Prisoner pleaded guilty and said that he had come down for the purpose of hopping. He had been in the eye hospital for a considerable time. He had a grandmother to support, and he would willingly pay the value of the nuts if the bench would overlook it. The Chairman said that this was the first case which had been brought before them. They should fine him 2s. 6d. and 2s.6d. costs and the value the nuts, 2d. Prisoner was locked up for seven days, in default of payment.

Extract from Maidstone Telegraph, 2nd October 1869.

STEALING COBNUTS AT WATERINGBURY.

Jeremiah Bryan, 16, labourer, no fixed address who had come into Kent to pick hops, was charged with stealing the September, at Wateringbury, 2 lbs cobnuts, value 1s, growing, the property of Mr James Fremlin. Prisoner pleaded guilty and said he thought they were wild nuts, as he had not been in this part of the country before. Henry Latter said—l am in the service of Mr James Fremlin, Wateringbury. Yesterday I was watching the plantation, and saw prisoner and three others there. I followed prisoner to the Telegraph Inn, and caught him. There is no fence to the plantation, and no public thoroughfare near it The nuts produced I found in prisoner's pocket. Persons would not pass the plantation in going to pick the hops. I saw all four gathering cobnuts. Fined 10s, including costs. The brother of prisoner said he could get the money by the morning, and Supt. Dance said if it was paid by ten o'clock next morning prisoner would be liberated.