Kentish Gazette 17-4-1855
Quarter Sessions, Wednesday, before J.J. Lonsdale Esq.
There was but one prisoner for trial, John Philpott, 21, for obtaining 10s. under false pretence from Mary Ann Freezer. It appeared the prosecutor, John Gillitin, unable to write, got the landlord of the Commercial Inn to write a note to Mrs. Freezer, desiring her to send him the 10s; and sent the note by the prisoner, who witheld the note, and obtained the money, Mrs. Freezer believing she knew the prisoner; but that turned out to be a mistake.
Mr. John Minter, who appeared fur the prisoner, endeavoured to show that the note, deposed to was only a direction enabling the prisoner to find Mr. Freezer`s residence; and that having obtained the money, he went to his father’s house at Cheriton, thence to Hythe, where he got tipsy, and, but for the incapacity thus caused, he would have handed the money to the prosecutor.
This ingenious defence seemed to influence some of the jury, as they were a considerable time absent. Eventually they brought in a verdict of Guilty.
The Recorder said he entirely agreed with the jury. In consideration of the prisoner having been already in gaol two months, he
should sentence him to four months’ imprisonment with hard labour. He perceived
by the list the prisoner could neither read nor write, which he considered a
disgrace to him and his parents; there being a national school in the parish.
As to the excuse set up that he was tipsy and incapable, it was another
instance of the connection, almost universal, of drunkenness and crime.
