Red Cow 1900s

Folkestone Chronicle 3-5-1902

Monday, April 28^th: Before Messrs. W. Wightwick, G. Swoffer, and C.J. Pursey.

Thomas De Boar, a respectable-looking mechanic, describing himself as a painter, was charged with stealing a pair of steps from the outside of a shop in Foord Road between the hours of nine and ten on Sunday evening.

Mr. Edwards, tobacconist, etc., Foord Road, said that on Sunday night he placed the steps outside the shop. He left the shop front for a few moments, and when he returned they were missing.

P.C. Chaney said that he found the prisoner at the Red Cow public house with the steps. Witness asked him where he got them from, and received the reply that they were obtained from another man. Prisoner was taken to the station and charged. He had been drinking.

Prisoner pleaded Guilty, and made a pathetic appeal to the Bench. He said he had a wife, mother, and four children dependent upon him. He had come down to Folkestone to do some work, and he could not think what had possessed him to take the steps. He had been a teetotaller for two years.

The Chairman, having advised the accused as to his future conduct, fined him 10s., or seven days`.

Accused: Thank you, sir; I am very thankful.

The fine was paid.

Folkestone Chronicle 22-8-1903

Thursday, August 20^th: Before Aldermen Banks and Salter, Mr. W. Wightwick, Mr. G.I. Swoffer, and Lieut. Col. Hamilton.

Arthur Jones and James Allen were charged with being concerned in uttering a gilded sixpence, representing it to be a half sovereign.

Mary Fisher, a barmaid at the Harbour Inn, said: I recognise Jones, who came to the bar about 8.30 p.m. yesterday, and asked for a mild and bitter. I served him, and he offered me a sovereign in payment. I went to the place where the money is kept and took half a sovereign and 10s. worth of silver. I then, from the till, changed 1s. for a mild and bitter, and, having taken 1½d., I placed the 19s. 10½d. before Jones upon the counter. He picked up the silver, put his hand over the half sovereign, as if to pick it up, then drew his hand back, and suddenly put it out again, asking me to give him the half sovereign in silver. I took a coin up, thinking I had the same half sovereign I had put down, and went to the cupboard and changed it. After the prisoner had gone, Mr. Hall spoke to me, and then went to the cupboard and brought to me the coin for which I had given Jones 10s. in exchange.

Thomas Hall, landlord of the Harbour Inn, proved watching the transaction just spoken to, and said that as Jones left the house he (witness) went to the cupboard and found a genuine half sovereign he had put there earlier, and also the coin produced (a gilded sixpence). He went in search of prisoner, and found him with another man at the bottom of High Street, counting money. Witness said to Jones “I want you. You have been passing bad coin with my barmaid”. Jones replied “Where do you mean? What house do you mean?” Witness said “You know whose house it is; you have just left it”. I told a cabman who stood by to call a policeman, when Jones said “Don`t call a policeman”, and the other prisoner said “How much do you want?” Just then a policeman came up and witness gave prisoner in charge. The other man was brought to the house later on, and witness identified him as the one who was with Jones.

James Butland, a cab driver, deposed to seeing the prisoners acting suspiciously, and then walk away from the Harbour Inn in company, going down South Street. Following them, witness, at the bottom of High Street, saw them stop and share out some money. Jones handed it to the other man. Mr. Hall came along, and witness gave him information.

The Chief Constable asked for a remand, as there would be one additional case to prefer next week.

Jones, who had previously said that he took the half sovereign at the Folkestone Racecourse, now said that he was Guilty, and that he had had some drink when he passed the coin. He would like the Magistrates to deal with the case at once.

The Chief Constable: No doubt he has very good reasons for that wish.

The Chairman said the prisoners would be remanded for seven days.

Folkestone Express 22-8-1903

Thursday, August 20^th: Before Aldermen Banks and Salter, Lieut. Colonel Hamilton, W. Wightwick, and G.I. Swoffer Esqs.

Arthur Jones and James Allen were charged with being concerned together in uttering a gilded sixpence for half a sovereign.

Mary Fisher, barmaid at the Harbour Inn, identified the prisoner Jones as a person who came to the bar about 8.30 p.m. the previous evening and asked for a mild and bitter. Witness served him and prisoner offered a sovereign in payment. She then went to a cupboard for change and placed 19s. 10½d. on the counter. Prisoner placed his hand over the half sovereign as though he intended to pick it up, but drew it back, and then put it suddenly forward, at the same time asking witness to give him the half sovereign in silver. Witness took it up, thinking it was the same half sovereign that she had put down. She took 10s. worth of silver and placed what was supposed to be a half sovereign in the cupboard. Prisoner finished his glass and then went out. In consequence of something said by the landlord witness went to the cupboard, and then discovered that the supposed half sovereign was a counterfeit.

Thomas Hall, landlord of the Harbour Inn, said that about 8 o`clock the previous morning he placed two half sovereigns and 10s. worth of silver in a cupboard. At 8.30 he was in the saloon bar when the prisoner Jones came in, and he saw the barmaid go to the cupboard for change and afterwards hand it over the counter; she then went back and took further change from the cupboard. Prisoner then left the house. In consequence of something said by the barmaid witness went to the cupboard and there found one of the coins which he had placed there in the morning, but discovered that the other was not a half sovereign. On going outside witness met a cabman, and in consequence of his statement proceeded along South Street and found the two prisoners at the bottom of High Street counting money. Witness caught hold of Jones and said “I want you for passing a bad coin to my barmaid”. He replied “What house do you mean?” Witness said “You know which house it is; you have just left it”. Allen said “Don`t call a policeman. How much do you want?” Just then a policeman came up. Witness informed prisoner that he required nothing. He then gave Jones into custody. Allen was brought to the bar later on and witness identified him as the person he had seen with Jones.

John Butland, a cabman, said that he was on the stand close to the Harbour the previous evening when he saw prisoners at the corner of Barton`s Wall. They walked across the road and had a conversation, at the same time watching the Harbour Hotel. Jones looked through the window, spoke to Allen and then went into the bar and called for a drink. The other prisoner then went in the bar and they both came out together. Witness followed them. When outside Maestrani`s shop in South Street they shared some money. Mr. Hall then came up and witness went for a policeman who took Jones into custody.

The Superintendent applied for a remand in order that further enquiries might be made.

Mr. Bradley advised the prisoners not to make any statement, but the prisoner Jones said that he had the half sovereign passed on to him at the Folkestone Races. Allen said the coin was not a counterfeit.

Prisoners asked to have the case settled at once, but the Magistrates decided to remand them for a week.

Folkestone Herald 22-8-1903

Thursday, August 20^th: Before Aldermen Banks and Salter, Lieut. Colonel Hamilton, Messrs. W. Wightwick, and G.I. Swoffer.

Arthur Jones and James Allen were charged with being concerned together in uttering a gilded sixpence for a half sovereign.

Mary Fisher, a barmaid at the Harbour Inn, recognised Jones as the man who, about half past eight the previous day, came into the bar and asked for a “mild and bitter”. Prisoner offered a sovereign in payment, and witness gave him the change, 19s. 10½d.,  a half sovereign and the rest in silver. She saw prisoner put his hand over the piece of gold as if to pick it up, but drew it back and then put it suddenly forward, at the same time asking her to give him the half sovereign in silver. Witness thought it was the same half sovereign she had put down, and complied with his request. Prisoner then left.

Thomas Hall, landlord of the Harbour Hotel, said that he saw the two prisoners at the bottom of High Street counting some money between them. He caught hold of Jones and said “You have been passing a bad coin through my barmaid”. Prisoner said “What house do you mean?” A policeman coming up at the time, he gave prisoners in charge.

John Butland, a cabman, stated that he was on the stand near the harbour about eight o`clock the previous evening, when he saw the two prisoners standing near the wall. They afterwards went across the road. He saw Jones go into the Harbour Hotel, followed shortly afterwards by Allen. He saw them come out, and go together to South Street, and also saw them sharing the money. He went for the police.

Prisoners, who pleaded Guilty, were remanded for a week.

   

Folkestone Chronicle 29-8-1903

Thursday, August 27^th: Before Aldermen Banks and Salter, Lieut. Col. Hamilton, and Mr. G.I. Swoffer.

Arthur Jones and James Allen were charged on remand with passing a Jubilee gilded sixpence as a half sovereign. Additional evidence was called, and a second charge was gone into. In this case, as in the first, it was alleged that the accused “rang the changes” with a gilded sixpence upon Thomas Philip Jordan at the Red Cow public house.

On the application of Chief Constable Reeve, both prisoners were committed to take their trial at the next Quarter Sessions of the Borough, bail being offered in prisoners` own sureties of £100 and two sureties of £50 in each case.

Folkestone Express 29-8-1903

Local News

At the Folkestone Borough Police Court on Thursday, Arthur Jones and James Allen were brought up on remand charged with being concerned together in uttering gilded sixpences as half sovereigns, and further evidence having been given, the prisoners were committed for trial.

Folkestone Herald 29-8-1903

Thursday, August 27^th: Before Aldermen Banks and Salter, Lieut. Colonel Hamilton, and Mr. G.I. Swoffer.

Arthur Jones and James Allen were charged, on remand, with uttering a counterfeit coin, viz., a gilded sixpence.

The evidence given at the previous hearing was repeated.

Both prisoners were committed to take their trial at the next Quarter Sessions for the borough, bail being fixed at £50 each.

 

Folkestone Chronicle 17-10-1903

Quarter Sessions

Monday, October 12^th: Before John Charles Lewis Coward.

Arthur Jones, 29, labourer, and James Allen, 49, hawker, both described as of imperfect education., were charged with unlawfully and knowingly uttering one piece of false and counterfeit coin at Folkestone, on the 19^th of August, 1903. Both prisoners pleaded Guilty.

The indictment, as well as that referring to the Harbour Inn, or “Mary Fisher” charge, included that of Thomas Philips Jordan, of the Red Cow, upon whom the same false pretence was practiced.

Counsel for the Crown, Mr. T. Matthew, in opening, repeated the facts as detailed in our issue of October 5^th, and mentioned that the prisoners, London men, came down to the Folkestone Racecourse on the 19^th of August, and then into the town, where, according to the evidence, they had been “ringing the changes”.

The Recorder: Wait a minute. I think “ringing the changes” is another thing.

Concluding the outline of the offence, Counsel said he would like to draw the learned Recorder`s attention to the provisions under 34 – 35, Victoria, Chap 112, Sec. 8 (Prevention of Crimes Act), which gave the judge power to add to his sentence a term of police supervision, the maximum term being seven years.

Detective Sergeant Samuel Lee, of the H Division, Metropolitan Police, then proceeded to give an account of the prisoners` criminal career, which showed four convictions within the last four years. Allen`s course of crime was then established by the witness and Chief Constable Reeve. A written statement was then handed in by the prisoner Jones, who attributed his fall to the influence of bad company and to his giving way to drink. He promised to leave the country as soon as he had served his sentence.

Allen created a smile on the Bench when he said that this was his first visit to Folkestone, and he hoped it would be his last.

The Recorder then passed sentence. He said: You two men have the worst records I have had before me during the period I have sat at this Court. You do not seem to have many friends among the police, and there is no doubt from the evidence that you are the worst scum of the racecourse. I must pass a sentence that will keep both of you from visiting this borough for some time to come, and I feel it my duty to accede to the request of Counsel for the Crown that you should be placed under police supervision. If Jones is making a true statement about going to America that will not affect him. You will both be sentenced to 12 months` hard labour, to be followed by three years` police supervision.

Both prisoners (who seemed much relieved): Thank you, my Lord.

Folkestone Express 17-10-1903

Quarter Sessions

Monday, October 12^th: Before John Charles Lewis Coward Esq.

Arthur Jones (29), described as a labourer, and James Allen (49), a hawker, were indicted for unlawfully and knowingly uttering counterfeit coin on the 10^th August at Folkestone. Prisoners pleaded Guilty.

Mr. Matthews, who prosecuted, said the prisoners were carrying out a trick called “ringing the changes”.

The Recorder: I don`t think it is a trick. They uttered counterfeit coins.

Mr. Matthews: Then I am misinformed.

Counsel then intimated that he was desired to call attention to the provisions of the 34^th and 35^th Vict., chapter 112, which enabled the Recorder to say that there should be a period of police supervision in addition to any sentence passed. If there was an order that there should be a supervision for a certain period, the police would be able to keep an eye upon such men as prisoners, and prevent anything occurring again.

Detective Sergt. Lee, H Division (Metropolitan Police) proved that on Dec. 16^th, 1901, at the Central Criminal Court, Jones, in the name of Edward Connell, was sentenced to twenty months hard labour for stealing £3 13s. 6d. from a till.

The Recorder: A rather stiff sentence, was it not?

Sergt. Lee: Hardly, after his “previouses”.

The Recorder: Oh, I see!

Continuing, Sergt. Lee said that Jones`s criminal career commenced on the 18<sup>th</sup> of Oct., 1899, at the Southwark Police Court, where he was fined 40s. or one month`s hard labour for stealing money from a public house. On the 23^rd March, 1900, he was charged at the Guildhall Police Court with “ringing the changes”, and on that occasion, because his previous convictions were not proved, he was bound over. At the time he was in company with two old convicts. At Epsom Petty Sessions, on April 26^th, 1900, he was charged with stealing a pair of opera glasses off the racecourse, and received five weeks` hard labour, while on July 11<sup>th</sup>, 1900, at the South London sessions, he was sentenced to 15 months` hard labour for attempted larceny. On this occasion prisoner was working in concert with others, using a sticky substance at the end of a stick and pocketing money from shelves in public houses.

P.C. Gosling, 632Y (Metropolitan), stated that on the 6th Feb., 1901, he was present at the North London Sessions when the prisoner Allen was convicted, in the name of James Slade, for attempted larceny and “ringing the changes”. He received 12 months` hard labour. There were other convictions against Allen, but witness was not in a position to state thm.

Supt. Reeve produced a further list against Allen. It was as follows:- April 22^nd, 1896, three weeks` hard labour at Epsom for stealing an overcoat; April 19<sup>th</sup>, 1898, at the North London Sessions, six months` hard labour for stealing a purse and money.

In a written statement to the Recorder, Jones said he was 33 years of age, and up to four years ago he always held a good character. Unfortunately he fell in with bad company and gave way to drink. Since his last discharge he had been leading an honest life, and worked for a Mr. Southwood until the day when the Folkestone Races came off. He begged the Recorder to give his defence consideration and to deal with him mercifully, as, with God`s help, he should promise not to touch drink again. Since he had been in Canterbury Gaol awaiting his trial, his brother had written offering to pay his fare to America in order to get him away from bad company.

Prisoners were sentenced to twelve months` hard labour, and three years` police supervision.

Jones: Thank you, my Lord.

Folkestone Herald 17-10-1903

Quarter Sessions

Monday, October 12^th: Before J.C.L. Coward Esq.

Arthur Jones (29), labourer, and James Allen (49), hawker, pleaded Guilty to “unlawfully and knowingly uttering one piece of false and counterfeit coin, apparently intended to pass for certain of the King`s current gold coin, called a half sovereign, on the 19^th August, 1903, at Folkestone”.

Counsel for the Crown, Mt. T. Matthews, said he was instructed that prisoners were both London criminals who had come down to Folkestone for the race meeting at Westenhanger in August last. By a trick known as “ringing the changes”....

Here the Recorder interposed with the remark that “ringing the changes” had nothing whatever to do with uttering counterfeit coins. It was an entirely different trick.

Continuing, Counsel pointed out that, whatever the process, the prisoner Jones went into the public house, called for a drink, handed a sovereign in payment, and received in the change half a sovereign, and the rest in silver and bronze. Having got a good half sovereign, prisoner substituted for it a gilded sixpence, and then asked for the whole of the change to be given him in silver, thus receiving 10s. for the counterfeit coin. This was done twice, though in both cases ultimately unsuccessful. In the first case it was seen to be a bad coin and the men were pursued. Jones denied having given the gilded sixpence, but he handed back the money he had received for it. Then they went to the Harbour Inn, where the same process was repeated. The landlord again had suspicions, and declined to accept any explanation, giving the man Jones in charge. Allen was subsequently arrested, and when searched another gilded sixpence was found upon him, which no doubt he intended to pass off in the same manner. In addition to the sentence of imprisonment, Mr. Matthews asked the Recorder, under powers which he was enabled to exercise, to say that there should be a period of police supervision, as it would then enable the police to keep their eye upon the men, so as to prevent them doing anything further of the sort, at any rate in the direction of making counterfeit coins.

With regard to the first case, the publican victimised, as stated in our report of the Police Court proceedings, was the landlord of the Red Cow, Foord.

Particulars concerning previous convictions against the two men were then given. Detective Sergeant Lee, of the London Force stated that on the 16^th December, 1901, he was present at the Central Criminal Court when the prisoner Jones, in the name of Edward Connell, was sentenced to twenty months` hard labour for stealing £3 13s. 6d. from a till.

The Recorder: A stiff sentence for that.

The Detective: Hardly, after his “previouses”.

Proceeding, he said that Jones`s criminal career commenced on the 18<sup>th</sup> of October, 1899, when, at the Southwark Police Court, he was fined 40s. or one month`s hard labour for stealing money from a public house; on the 23^rd of March, 1900, he was charged at the Guildhall Police Court for “ringing the changes”. On that occasion his previous convictions were not proved against him, and he was bound over.

The Recorder: “Ringing the changes” is one thing, and counterfeit coin another.

Witness: That is so.

Continuing, the detective said that prisoner Jones was at the time in company with two old convicts. At Epsom Petty Sessions, on the 26^th of April, 1900, he was charged with stealing a pair of opera glasses from the racecourse, and was sentenced to 5 weeks` imprisonment with hard labour. Charged with attempted larceny at the South London Sessions on the 11<sup>th</sup> of July, 1902, he received fifteen months` hard labour. On that occasion he was working in concert with others, and was using a stick with some sticky substance at the end. Whilst his companion attracted the attention of the person in charge of the bar, the man with the stick picked up the gold.

With regard to Allen, Police Constable Gosling, of the Metropolitan Police stated that on the 6^th of February, 1901, he was present at the North London Sessions when the prisoner Allen, in the name of James Slade, was convicted of attempted larceny and “ringing the changes”, receiving twelve months hard labour. There were other convictions recorded against him which he was not in a position to prove.

Chief Constable Reeve informed the Recorder that Allen`s proper name was James Slade. On the 22<sup>nd</sup> of April, 1896, at Epsom, he was sentenced to three weeks` hard labour for the theft of an overcoat, whilst at the North London Sessions on the 19^th April, 1898, he was given six months` hard labour for stealing a purse and money. One summary conviction, for unlawful possession, was recorded against him, as well as the conviction spoken to by the last witness.

In a written statement which he handed to the Recorder, Jones said he was 33 years of age, and up to four years ago he held a good character. Unfortunately at that time he fell into bad company and gave way to drink. Since then he had served three terms of imprisonment. Since his last discharge from prison he had led an honest life until he went to the races at Folkestone. He had been drinking heavily, and in the evening uttered the gilded sixpence. He begged for another chance, promising never to touch drink again. His wife`s brother had promised to pay his fare to America, and he asked the Recorder not to let his past character weigh heavily against him. His correct name was Edward Connell, but being in drink he gave the name of Jones. He promised to leave the country at the expiration of the sentence passed upon him, and also to lead a sober and industrious life in the future. Under those circumstanced he begged the Recorder to grant him mercy.

Allen`s defence was that this was the first time he had ever been in Folkestone, and he hoped it would be his last. He was fifty years of age, and had four children to support. Taking into consideration the time he had been waiting for his trial, having expressed his guilt in the first “onset”, he pleaded for the Recorder`s mercy.

The Recorder, addressing the prisoners, said they had the worst record he had ever had before him since he had sat in that Court. They were the scum of the racecourse. He must pass a sentence upon them to keep them away from this sort of thing for some time to come, and he felt it his duty to accede to the request of Counsel for the Crown that they should be placed under police supervision. If Jones was allowe to go away the punishment would not act harshly upon him, and the sentence he passed upon each of them was imprisonment for twelve calendar months, with hard labour, with police supervision for three years.

Jones: Thank you.

They were then removed below.

Folkestone Chronicle 21-10-1905

Notice

Mary Ann Jordan Deceased

All persons having any claims or demands against the estate of Mary Ann Jordan, late of the Red Cow Inn, Folkestone, Kent, who died on the 17^th day of October, 1905, are requested to send particulars thereof to me, the undersigned, forthwith.

Dated this 19^th day of October, 1905,

Frederick Hall,

Solicitor for the executors,

Bank Chambers,

Folkestone.

Folkestone Express 9-12-1905

Wednesday, December 9^th: Before E.T. Ward Esq., Lieut. Col. Hamilton, Major Leggatt, W.G. Herbert and J. Linton Esqs.

At the special sessions for the transfer of ale-house licences the following transfer was made: The Red Cow Inn, from the executors of the late Mrs. Jordan, to Mr. Savage.

Folkestone Herald 9-12-1905

Wednesday, December 6^th: Before Mr. E.T. Ward, Alderman W.G. Herbert, Lieut. Colonel Hamilton, Major Leggatt, and Mr. T. Ames.

The licence of the Red Cow, Folkestone, was transferred to Mr. Savage.  

Folkestone Express 14-7-1906

Wednesday, July 11^th: Before Lieut. Col. Fynmore, Alderman Vaughan, and R.J. Linton Esq.

Plans for an alteration in the Red Cow Inn, Foord, were approved of.

Folkestone Herald 14-7-1906

Wednesday, July 11^th: Before Councillor R.J. Fynmore, Lieut. Colonel Hamilton, and Mr. Linton.

Permission was granted to the proprietor of the Red Cow for some proposed alterations to the building.

Folkestone Daily News 6-3-1908

Friday, March 6^th: Before Alderman Banks, Messrs. Herbert, Linton, Leggett, and Boyd.

Edward Flisher was charged with stealing four bottles of ale.

Frederick Wickenden deposed: I am a labourer, living at 8, Garden Road. I am in the employ of Mr. Savage, of the Red Cow Inn. At 5.10 yesterday afternoon I was in the public bar. A man named Nickolls was also in the bar at the same time. While there I saw an arm go over the counter. The two bars are divided by a glass screen. I saw four bottles in the hand. The bottles were taken from a shelf under the counter. At the time the beer was taken there was no-one at the back of the counter. I went to the back and reported it, and received instructions to go into the private bar, where I found the prisoner. No-one else was there. He had a bag, which Mr. Savage asked me to hand to him. We then found four bottles of ale in the bag.

The Prisoner: Did you say you saw me take four bottles?

Witness: Yes.

Albert Edward Nickolls deposed: I am a fitter, living at 8, Albert Road. At 5.10 yesterday afternoon I was in the Red Cow Inn. The last witness was also there, and put his finger up to me as if he did not wish me to speak, at the same time pointing to the private bar. No-one was at the back of the counter at the time. The two counters are divided by a screen, and there is an opening for passing things to and fro. When Wickenden pointed at the private bar I looked in that direction, and saw a hand passed through s screen and take a bottle of ale from under the counter. I did not see Wickenden take the bag from the prisoner.

Albert Edward Savage, landlord of the Red Cow Inn, deposed: At ten minutes past five yesterday afternoon I went into the private room at the back of the bar. Wickenden came to me and my wife and made a statement. I saw the prisoner in the private bar, and told Wickenden to go and fetch the bag with the four bottles of ale from that bar, which he did. I then looked under the counter and found four bottles of ale were missing. I said to the prisoner “You have stolen these four bottles of ale”, and he replied “I got them from elsewhere”. I requested him to leave the house, and he did so, but returned later on, when I gave him into custody and charged him.

Prisoner (to witness): Do you know the number of bottles under the counter? – Yes; there were two dozen.

When did you count them last? – When I put them there, but four were afterwards missing.

Do you know a woman came in and had two bottles? – No.

You say that I told you I got the bottles elsewhere? – Yes.

I did not. I brought in two bottles to change for stout.

Dora Woodward, barmaid at the Red Cow, said: The prisoner came into the private bar at 4.30 yesterday afternoon, and asked for a pint of porter. I served him, and he remained there just after five o`clock, when I went off duty, and was in the private bar all the time. There were two dozen bottles of beer under the counter at the time. The prisoner is a customer at the house. No-one else came in while the prisoner was there. Wickenden came in and made a statement to Mr. Savage about ten minutes past five. The prisoner had not purchased any bottled ale. I saw the bag and bottles taken from him. When he came in at 4.30 he had his bag rolled up under his arm.

Prisoner: Was there another barmaid come in when you left? – Yes.

You say you saw the bag taken from me? – Yes.

No, you didn`t. You saw the bag taken from the floor.

P.C. Lemar said: At 6.35 yesterday I was called to the private bar of the Red Cow by the landlord, Mr. Savage. I there saw the prisoner. Mr. Savage said “I wish to give this man into custody for stealing four bottles of ale from a shelf under the counter in the private bar. I have two other witnesses who saw him take it, and also the four bottles of ale that he took in a carpet bag that belongs to Flisher”. Flisher then replied “Don`t be hard on me. I only took two; the other two I bought and paid for”. I then brought him to the police station and charged him with stealing the four bottles of ale, value 1s. 6d., and he replied “I only stole two; the other two I paid for”.

Prisoner pleaded Guilty to stealing two bottles only, and handed in a statement that he hoped the Bench would deal leniently with him. It was his first offence, and he had never had a stain on his character.

He was sentenced to 14 days` hard labour.

Folkestone Herald 7-3-1908

Friday, March 6^th: Before Alderman J. Banks, Councillor G. Boyd, Major Leggett, Messrs. W.G. Herbert, and R.J. Linton.

Edward Flisher was charged with stealing four bottles of ale.

Frederick Wickenden, in the employ of Mr. Savage, landlord of the Red Cow, said at about ten minutes past five on Thursday he was in the public bar. He saw an arm reach over the counter of the private bar. The two bars were divided by a glass screen. He saw the hand take four bottles of ale. He went into the private bar, and there found the prisoner, who had a bag with him. He asked prisoner to hand over the bag, which contained four bottles of ale.

Albert Edward Nichols also gave evidence.

Albert Edward Savage, the landlord, deposed that he said to the prisoner “You stole these bottles of ale”. Accused replied “I got them from elsewhere”. He left the house when witness requested him, but returned later. Witness gave him into custody.

Nora Woodward, barmaid, having been called, P.C. Lemar deposed that, when given into custody, prisoner said “Don`t be hard on me. I only stole two; the other two I bought and paid for them”.

Prisoner put in a written statement, in which he said that he had never had a stain on his character. He hoped they would deal leniently with him, and would not send him to prison. He would take good care that it would not happen again. It was only a sudden temptation that made him commit the offence.

Prisoner was sentenced to 14 days` hard labour.

 

Folkestone Express 14-3-1908

Friday, March 6^th: Before Alderman Banks, Major Leggett, W.G. Herbert, R.J. Linton, and G. Boyd Esqs.

Edward Flisher was charged with stealing four bottles of ale from the Red Cow Inn the previous afternoon.

Frederick Wickenden, a labourer, of 8, Garden Road, said he was in the employ of Mr. Savage, the landlord of the Red Cow Inn. About ten minutes past five the previous afternoon he was in the public bar with a man named Nichols. During the time he was in the bar he noticed an arm reach over the counter from the private bar, and four bottles of ale were taken from a shelf under the counter. There was no-one at the back of the counter at the time. He therefore told Mr. Savage what he had seen, and, acting on instructions, he went into the private bar, where he saw the prisoner, who was alone. He was carrying a bag, which he (witness) took and handed to Mr. Svavge, who found the four bottles of ale in it.

Albert Edward Nichols, a fitter, of 8, Albert Road, said he was in the public bar, when the last witness motioned to him to look in the direction of the private bar, which was divided from the public bar by a screen. Witness looked, and saw a hand and arm come over the counter and take a bottle of ale from beneath the counter. Wickenden left the public bar, and later he saw him go into the private bar.

Henry Edward Savage, the landlord of the Red Cow Inn, said at ten minutes past five the previous evening, from what he was told by Wickenden, he went and saw the prisoner in the private bar. Witness told Wickenden to go and fetch the bag the prisoner was carrying, and when he (witness) opened it he found the four bottles of ale produced. Witness, on looking on the shelf beneath the counter, missed the four bottles of ale. He then said to the prisoner “You have stolen these bottles of ale”, and he replied “I got them from elsewhere”. At witness`s request Flisher left the house, but returned later, when he (witness) gave him into custody. The selling price of the ale was 10d., and there was also 8d. for the bottles.

Cross-examined, witness said he knew how many bottles were placed on the shelf.

Miss Woodward, the barmaid at the Red Cow, said she was in the bar at half past four the previous afternoon, when prisoner came into the bar. He asked for a pint of porter and she served him. Flisher was there when she went off duty, after five o`clock. At that time there were about two dozen bottles under the counter. From the time prisoner came into the bar to the time she left, no-one else came into the bar. About ten minutes after she left the bar, Wickenden came and made a statement to Mr. Savage. Prisoner had not purchased any bottled ale. She saw the bag and bottles taken from the prisoner. When he entered the bar he had the bag rolled up under his arm.

P.C. Lemar said at 6.35 p.m. he was called to the private bar of the house by the landlord, and he there saw Flisher, whom the landlord said he wished to give into custody for stealing four bottles of ale. Flisher said “Don`t be hard on me. I only stole two, and the other two I bought and paid for”. At the police station, on being charged, he repeated his previous statement.

Prisoner agreed to the case being dealt with by the Magistrates, and he pleaded Guilty to stealing two bottles of ale. He said he had purchased the other two. A statement, written by the prisoner, was read to the Magistrates. In it Flisher said he was truly sorry for what had occurred. He had never been in such a position before. He had lived in Folkestone eleven years, and the rest of his life he had spent at Sandgate. He had never had a stain on his character, and he hoped and trusted they would deal with him as leniently as they could. He appealed to them not to send him to prison, as he did not wish to lose his character. He was sure Mr. Savage did not press the charge against him. It was sheer temptation that caused him to take the bottles.

Sent to prison for 14 days` hard labour.