At the Maidstone Police Court, on 27th June 1871, before the Mayor F. Pine and G. Edmett.  Martha White was charged with the theft of jewellery from a draper’s shop. Martha was charged with stealing two brooches, a pair of earrings, four rings and other articles from the shop of Messrs Paine and Durrant on 26th June. Angelina Pearce, an employee of Messrs Paine and Durrant, stated the prisoner was in the shop, at about 9 o’clock in the morning and again in the afternoon, between three and four o’clock. In the afternoon, she had asked to look at a brooch and was also showed some earrings, but she did not buy anything. Angelina saw the prisoner, had some earrings in her hand and informed Mr Roberts. She accused the prisoner of the theft and asked to look into her handkerchief. The handkerchief, fell onto the counter, containing brooches, earrings and rings, all the property of the shop. Mr Roberts corroborated the evidence and confirmed the contents of the handkerchief, and stated, he questioned the prisoner. Martha stated she had not intended to steal the jewellery. Mr Roberts unsatisfied with her reply, gave her into custody. Police Sergeant Froud, into whose custody the prisoner was given, stated that the prisoner had said she had not intended to steal the jewellery and wished to beg pardon from Mr Paine. Superintendent Gifford proved that after the prisoner was taken into custody, he found in her possession, a pawn ticket for a gold chain, pledged on 26th June for £1. Martha stated she was given the chain by a Mrs Brown, whose husband was a bricklayer in Wheeler Street, to pledge for her and she stated she got Mrs Smith to do it for her, and the ticket and money were given to her. He had communicated with Messrs Paine and Durrant, who confirmed the chain was their property. On visiting the prisoner’s house, in Wheeler Street, her father handed him, six pawn tickets, chiefly relating to clothing pledged but also one for a ring pledged at Miss Flinn’s for 4 shillings. Mrs Sarah Smith confirmed she had pawned the chain and John Tomlin, in the employ of Mr Corke in Bank Street, proved receiving it in pawn. Miss Fanny Flinn also deposed to lending the prisoner 4 shillings on a gold ring, and John Kennedy identified the ring and chain as similar to those of the prosecutors’.  Miss Funnell proved that Martha was also in the shop on the previous thursday and had looked at rings, but made no purchases. PS Froud stated he had made enquiries for the Mrs Brown, mentioned by the prisoner, but there was not a Mrs Brown married to a bricklayer in Wheeler Street. The prisoner entered into a long statement in her defence, still maintaining the chain had belonged to Mrs Brown and the ring she had purchased from a woman for 2 shillings 6d in the High Street, whilst looking at the Volunteers. She continued to deny any intention of stealing from shop, stating that another woman was looking at the jewel case, whilst she stood beside her, and the things lay on the counter, next to her handkerchief, she was committed for trial at the Borough Sessions. At the West Kent Quarter Sessions, Martha White was found guilty and sentenced to two months of hard labour. Messrs Paine and Durrant had not wished to press the charge as Martha was only 17 years of age, but as she had stolen from the shop on several occasions, a light sentence was given as a warning to her. Mr Smith for the prosecution, asked the Recorder to make an order for the restitution of the property from the pawn brokers to the prosecutors. Mr Corke had refused to give the pawned property to the police. The Recorder said the pawnbroker Mr Corke, had not taken sufficient care in the case. Mr Tomlyn, assistant to Mr Corke, said P.S. Froud had visited the shop and the property was produced, but it was the rule not to give up stolen goods, until the prisoner was convicted. They had always given every assistance to the police, when stolen property was pledged at their shop and he wished to make an application for the money 19 shillings 10 d lent on the chain and found on the prisoner, be refunded to Mr Corke. Mr Smith objected and quoted an Act of Parliament, which stated money could only be refunded to purchasers of stolen goods, but not to pawnbrokers who had taken goods in pledge. The Recorder made an order for both pawnbrokers to restore the stolen property to the prosecutors, but said he had no power to order the 19s 10d to be given to Mr Corke. He hoped the case would be a warning to all pawnbrokers.

Martha’s father applied to the magistrates for the return of the money found on his daughter. He had given her 22 shillings and 11 shillings to his son, to pay the rent with. His daughter went to Mr Baldwin’s their landlord, but had not paid the rent. He was sorry that his daughter has committed the robbery, but it was hard for him to lose his money. Superintendent Gifford said he found five or six shillings on Martha, in addition to the 19 s 10d, found with the pawn tickets. Her father was a hard working man and it appeared that money given to Martha for bills and been used for other purposes, unknown to her father. The Chairman said the 19s 10d could not be ordered to be given up, but her father could have the five or six shillings, with the consent of his daughter. Mr White thanked the Worships and withdrew from the Court.

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