From November 15^th 1919:

Horses stolen from Arborfield

Recovered by Wokingham Police.

Two horses which disappeared from the Army Remount Depot at Arborfield were discovered by the Wokingham police at repositories in London, as related to the Wokingham Police Court on Tuesday. One of the men suspected of being concerned in the theft was arrested at the ‘Elephant & Castle’ horse repository in New Kent Road. When the police went to the house of the other, he escaped through the window.

William Frederick Le May, a youth, of 38, Town Mead Road, Wandsowrth Lodge Road, London, described as a carpenter and horse attendant, was charged with stealing two horses, value £160, the property of H. M. the King’s War Department, at Arborfield, on October 22^nd. He was alternately charged with being concerned with a man named Ernest Jelly in the theft.

Supt. Goddard said the horses were missed from the lines at the Arborfield Remount Depot on the morning of October 22^nd. The police traced them through Hook to Basingstoke, where they were boxed to London. "The real thief", said the superintendent, "is not here". But this man made arrangements with the real thief and assisted him. The police went to the house of the real thief, but he jumped out of the window and ran away. I hope we shall be able to bring him here next week".

The evidence bore out the statement of Supt. Goddard. P. S. Lambourne stated that in the train coming down, prisoner said "Mr. Jolly gave me £1 to take that horse to the sales yard. I took one to the ‘Elephant & Castle’ and the other I took to Aldridges. Mr. Jolly told me he was going to Southampton to buy some horses. He sent a telegram to me to meet him at Waterloo Station, and I met him there".

P. S. Salter corroborated P. S. Lambourne’s evidence.

The prisoner said, "Baker is my brother–in-law. His proper name is Jelly, but he passes in the name of Jolly because he doesn’t like the name of Jelly. I did not know the horses were stolen."

Accused was committed for trial.