27 Oct 1900: Police Court: James Stewart Guilford was charged before on 4th October, obtaining two pairs of boots, valued at £1 17s 6d, by means of false pretences. He called at J. Kingsland and Co's shop and obtained boots on approval, promising to pay for them if they fitted. When he did not return, it was discovered that he had worn the boots. Under the Sale of Goods Act, 1895, articles when passed from a shopkeeper to a customer, and taken into use, became, to all intents and purposes, the property of the customer. However the transaction failed to be one of possession on approval to an actual purchase. The judge dismissed the case however the accused was also charged with stealing a number of tools from Scott's foundry. He was convicted, and a report requested of the Probation Officer.

Wanganui Herald, 13 Nov 1901: At the Police Court George Thurston and John' Howard were remanded till the 20th instant on several charges of theft at Wanganui on the 9th and 11th November. The articles alleged to have been stolen included a silver watch and chain, value £5 17s 6d, the property of J. S. Guilford;

1903: SUPREME COURT: James Guilford was charged with criminal assault at Otaki on a girl under ten years of age. He was carried into the dock in the lower Court, a huddled heap - a physical if not a moral wreck. He made no reply other than mutterings when the indictment was read, and a jury was accordingly empannelled to determine whether the prisoner was sane enough to plead. The Superintendant of the Mount View Asylum, was of the opinion that Guilford in his present condition could not understand the indictment, but if it were read over to him outside in quiet surroundings he would be able to understand it  but when  he got surrounded by constables his condition of mind was such that he deteriorated, he certainly knew at times to suppress anything against himself. He was of a low mental order, and his huddled-up state was due to something analogous to railway spine - his inability to plead a case of "couldn't and wouldn't." The Porirua Asylum Superintendent giving evidence was interrupted by the ramblings of tho prisoner, said that the man's mental condition was below par, but he probably knew whether or not he committed the crime however he did not think the prisoner appreciated his present position or could plead intelligently and regarded Guilford as a moral imbecile. He would understand the indictment, but might not be able to intelligently answer it - he certainly would not answer it. The jury had to decide whether he was mute from insanity or from obstinacy. The judge explained that under the Lunatics Act, if the finding was that the man was not sane enough to plead, the prisoner had to be kept in strict custody until the Colonial Secretary's pleasure was known. The jury found that Guilford was not at the present time fit to plead and the judge ordered it to be recorded that the prisoner stood mute by the visitation of God, and the prisoner be kept in strict custody until the pleasure of the Colonial Secretary was known. Prisoner is about 27 years of age, whose rambling had broken out several times, was then removed, still huddled-up in a chair.

Dec 2 1903: The Chief Justice sentenced James Guilford to imprisonment for life. His Honor said that after hearing the medical evidence he considered it was not safe to allow the prisoner at large.

James Guilford mar: 1915 in Auckland using the alias "James Edward De Grey" to MARY MADELINE PEARL ALCOCK, daughter of HECTOR ALCOCK and SARAH ANN - she was b: 1st Jan 1893 in Auckland, and d: Abt. 1981.

MARRIAGES: DE GREY - ALCOCK: On Nov 3, 1915, at St. Matthew's Church, by the Rev. J. Calder, James Edward, eldest son of James De Grey, England, to Madeline Pearl, daughter of Mr and Mrs H. Alcock, of Auckland. Home and Australian papers please copy.

Evening Post, 28 Sept 1915; WELLINGTON CITY'S QUOTA MEN BEING CALLED-UP: The following men are being called up as the contribution of Wellington City and Suburbs to the new battalions (3rd and 4th Battalions Trentham, Rifle Brigade) going into camp on the 12th prox. : Infantry - J S Guilford

Enlisted as Sapper James Edward de Grey b: Liverpool  March 27, 1882, [a.k.a. GUILDFORD, James Stuart] WWI 4/1256, April 1917 - February 1920 NZ Engineers Tunneling Co. WW2 Reg No 1 819156;  digitised service record