Henry Akehurst

341

Maureen Withey on 26th December 2024

Edward Older, 17, and Henry Akehurst, 18. were charged with burglary in the dwelling-house of William Wiggett, Shoreham, and stealing stealing three hams and other articles. Mrs. Elizabeth slated that her husband lived on Shoreham-hill. The 28th June last, she went to bed with her house locked safely up. Mr. Chalklin deposed that six o’clock on the 29th June, in consequence of information had received, went to the home of the prosecutor. He observed some footmarks the garden Mr. Wiggett, as well as in the road leading from his house to Seal. They were in the direction towards Willard’s shaw. They appeared to be the footsteps of only one person. He went into a lodge on the road, called Barham's where he saw the prisoner lying on some straw, in very wet state; he had gaiters on which were spattered over with chalk ; he had no shoes al the time. The road from the prosecutor’s house to the lodge was down a very chalky hill It was about ten o’clock the morning. Peake, a constable, was with him. He thin asked him go with him. replied that he would go anywhere him. said that he had come from Kennsingon the previous night. went little way on the road, and when they turned into a shaw he went away. They found the lost property at the shaw. Witness afterwards saw him at five o’clock the same afternoon, at Dunson Green Gate. Witness was going along the road on horseback, when (prisoner Older) jumped over gate, and ran across field. He followed him to a river, through which they both went, and he chased him along a field, when the prisoner and witness again crossed the river twice afterwards, and at last he took him into custody near Chipstead The constable Kemsing corroborated the above evidence. Benjamin Cork took him into custody. Soon afterwards saw him in the keeping of Peake. had him in room by himself, whore the prisoner said wished to state the whole matter to him. The substance of what stated was, that he, company with another, broke open the house of the prosecutor the previous night. After having gone to the farm of Mr. Seager they returned. The other person got into the house through a window, which was small that he was obliged to strip himself in order to effect his entrance. They took away with them the three hams, spoons, and apparel, and hid them in Willard’s shaw. In order prove the truth of his statement, witness had him taken the shaw to point out the place where they had concealed the goods, but they were not able find them, having been previously removed. spoons witness himself look out of Akehurst’s pockets. They were both found guilty, and, they received but very indifferent characters, were sentenced to 10 years’ transportation. Canterbury Journal, 17 July 1839.