Thomas Ashbee

341

Maureen Withey on 6th June 2024

SANDWICH, APPREHENSION OF A HOUSEBREAKER.-Early on Thursday morning week, Morris, the high-constable of Ash, being on duty, in consequence of the numerous burglaries recently committed in that neighbourhood, met a man on the road from Sandwich, whose appearance created a suspicion in his (Morris's) mind, that he had more property about him than could fairly be called his own ; in consequence of which he stopped him, and enquired as to whence had came and whither he was going, when the stranger's replies were of that evasive character that induced Morris to take him into custody. Having conveyed him to his own residence at Ash, he searched his prisoner, and found on and about his person, a telescope, a cup, a silk handkerchief, an umbrella, a stone bottle containing about two quarts of gin, and two frock coats, in the pocket of one of which he also found several letters, addressed to Mr. Drayson, coal merchant, of Sandwich, to which place Morris immediately conveyed his prisoner, and found that the counting-house of Mr. Drayson had been broken open during the night ; and the above articles fully identified as having been stolen therefrom. A large knife was found in the counting-house, which had been left there by the party committing the robbery. The prisoner, who gave his name as Thomas Ashbee, chimney-sweeper, of Faversham, was taken before the Mayor and Magistrates of Sandwich, and fully committed to take his trial at the next sessions. Dover Telegraph, 28 Oct 1848. SANDWICH. The general quarter sessions were held before John Deedes, Esq., Recorder. Thomas Ashbee, 21, chimney-sweeper, was charged with breaking and entering the counting-house of John Drayson, on the 18th October, the parish of St. Mary Virgin, and stealing therefrom one telescope, value 20s., and one umbrella value 1s., the property of the said John Drayson. There was another indictment against the prisoner for stealing two frock coats and other articles, belonging Mr. Drayson—Fifteen years' transportation on the first, and two months' hard labor on the second indictment. Kentish Gazette, 9 Jan 1849.