Mid Sussex Times, July 20 1881

Cuckfield petty sessions.

Wednesday.

Before Captain Sergison (chairman), and Admiral the Honourable T. Pakenham, R.N.

A Desperate Tramp

Thomas Teesdale, a tramp, was charged with an attempted robbery from the person of Mr Walter Nash, grocer etc, Whitemans Green, Cuckfield. – It appears that prosecutor was returning home about 11 o'clock on Tuesday evening, when he met the man Teesdale, who demanded some money. On Mr Nash replying that he had none about him, the prisoner raised a stick to strike prosecutor, remarking "he would see about that,".

At this, Mr Nash took to his heels, and out distanced his would-be assailant; and information being given to PC Ralph, he was arrested by that officer, who said prisoner was inclined to be troublesome, because he could not be let off on promising to leave the town.

He was sentenced to a months imprisonment with hard labour. – Prisoner: thank you, gentlemen.