Isle of Cyprus 1905 - 1909

Folkestone Daily News 2-1-1905

Quarter Sessions

Saturday, December 31^st: Before J.C. Lewis Coward.

Jimmy Butcher, who has been many times convicted for drunkenness, begging, &c., before the borough bench was committed to take his trial for breaking a large square of glass in the front of the Cyprus Hotel, on The Bayle. Mr. Dickens prosecuted.

From the evidence before the Magistrates it appeared that Butcher knocked at the public house door and demanded to be served. The landlord refused to do so, and shortly after he heard the crash of the window, opened the door, and saw Butcher running away. He chased him to the Parade Steps, brought him back, and confronted him with the damage.

Prisoner pleaded Guilty.

Chief Constable Reeve deposed that prisoner had been convicted 35 times.

Butcher said it was caused through drink, which was the root of all evil.

One month`s imprisonment

Folkestone Chronicle 7-1-1905

Quarter Sessions

Saturday, 31^st December: Before John Charles Lewis Coward Esq.

James Butcher, 43, described as a gardener, but generally known as the “Folkestone Pest”, pleaded Guilty to unlawfully and maliciously breaking a plate glass window, valued at £6 15s., the property of the landlord of the Isle Of Cyprus Inn.

Prisoner said it was all through drink. God had given him strength to work, and he could work, but the drink had got the better of him.

The Recorder: That drink again.

Chief Constable Reeve said that Butcher was a pest to the borough. The man had been already convicted 35 times. One of his habits was to walk into a public house where the landlord would not serve him, pick up and drink another person`s liquor, and decamp.

The Recorder advise Butcher, after his sentence, to keep clear of the Borough of Folkestone, or his next appearance would be very serious. He would now go to prison for one month, with hard labour.

Mr. Dickens appeared for the Crown.

 

Folkestone Express 7-1-1905

Quarter Sessions

Saturday, January 31^st: Before John Charles Lewis Coward Esq.

James Butcher was charged with unlawfully and maliciously damaging the plate glass of a certain window, the property of William Halford, the damage so committed being to the amount of £6 15s., at 10.40 p.m. on October 30^th. Prisoner pleaded Guilty.

Mr. Dickens said the prisoner broke the front window of the public house the Isle of Cyprus, on The Bayle, during a fit of anger, because he was refused drink. The value of the glass was £6 15s.

The Superintendent said prisoner had been in the town on and off for four and a half years. He was always getting drunk, and there were 35 convictions against him in different parts of the country – five times for larceny, one as an incorrigible rogue, and others.

Prisoner: It was all through drink, your Worship.

The Recorder: Yes, it is the curse of the country.

The Superintendent, continuing, said prisoner was in the habit of going into gin shops and helping himself to the gin when no-one was about.

The Recorder said the gin shops should be shut up, and then prisoner could not help himself.

Prisoner: This is all through drink. It is the road to ruin, and has been my downfall.

The Recorder: Has he been on bail?

The Superintendent said prisoner had been in custody.

The Recorder, in passing sentence, said prisoner`s record was a bad one. It was shocking and could not have been worse. When he came out of prison he advised him to leave the town. He would take into consideration that fact that prisoner had been in prison for two months, and he would have to go to prison for one calendar month.

Folkestone Herald 7-1-1905

Quarter Sessions

Saturday, December 31^st: Before J.C.L. Coward Esq.

The Grand Jury returned a true bill against James Butcher, who pleaded Guilty, and his case was taken at once.

Mr. E.F. Dickens appeared to prosecute. The prisoner, he explained, was indicted for breaking a plate glass window at the Isle of Cyprus public house, and doing damage to the amount of £6 15s. The offence occurred at half past ten on the night of Sunday, the 30^th October. The police had instructed counsel to say that the prisoner was a regular terror to the publicans, and that he was an injurious drunkard.

The Chief Constable stated that the prisoner had been in the town on and off for about four years. He was a thorough pest when he was in the town, getting drunk and roaming about the town. No less than 35 convictions had been recorded against him in different parts of the country. They included 15 for drunkenness, 10 for vagrancy, one as an incorrigible rogue, two for larceny.....

The Recorder: Are there any serious larcenies?

Witness: No, sir. Two for stealing coats in Monmouthshire.

Prisoner: It is all through drink.

The Recorder: I know that perfectly well. It is the curse of the country, and it will be the curse of this borough if they don`t do something.

Prisoner: It is the root of all evil.

The Chief Constable: He is in the habit of going into public houses, and if anyone is absent he will go behind the bar and steal the gin.

The Recorder: Then all I would say is, close the gin shops. (To prisoner) What have you to say?

The accused: I don`t know what to say. It is all through drink, and drink is the root of all evil. I have no cause to steal, or do anything like that if I keep off the drink. I can earn good money when I am at work, if it please God Almighty to give me strength.

Prisoner now handed up a written statement to the Court, which the Recorder perused.

The Recorder, in sentencing the prisoner, said: This is a bad record. It is shocking, and could not be worse. You will have to get out of this borough as quickly as you can when you come out of prison. I have taken into consideration the fact that you have been in prison waiting trial for two months. I am sorry you have had to wait all that time. The sentence of the Court is that you be imprisoned, with hard labour, for one calendar month.

Prisoner: Thank you, Your Worship. God bless you!

On leaving the dock, prisoner walked from the Court in an attitude resembling that of a cake walker.

 

Folkestone Chronicle 5-5-1906

On Friday morning at the Police Court, before Alderman W.G. Herbert, Lieut. Col. Hamilton, Messrs. J. Stainer, G.I. Swoffer, and Linton, James Albert Spicer, a barman in the employ of Mr. Holford at the Isle of Cyprus Inn, The Bayle, was charged with attempting to break and enter, but before the case was proceeded with the charge was amended to that of breaking and entering. The accused was represented by Mr. G.W. Haines.

Herbert Crumby said: I reside at 5, Bradstone Avenue, and I occupy a lock-up office at 35, Shellons Street, consisting of one room. The office is part of a dwelling house in the occupation of Mr. S. Ferris, who resides on the premises. At ten o`clock last evening I left the office. Before leaving the office I left it secure, the door locked, and the window looking into Shellons Street fastened. Affixed to the frame of the window inside there is a glass screen, the one now produced, that is secured by bolts on each extremity of the frame. I was called to the office about 12.30, when I found the window broken just above the catch, and the glass screen outside against the wall, with some finger marks on it. There were similar marks upon the window. I examined the office and missed nothing, only finding some books and papers pushed from the top of the desk which stands in front of the window.

By Mr. Haines: When I saw the window it was open, not fastened. The glass was then outside. I have no key to the front door, but a key to the main door. The main door is left to be cleaned in the morning. The prisoner is my cousin. There is no unpleasantness between us to my knowledge. I do not remember seeing him for a month or six weeks. I do not owe him anything, or he me.

P.C. Albert Butler said: About 12.05 I was passing 38, Shellons Street. I found the window was broken by the catch. The window was open, and the bottom sash up. I examined the broken window. On the glass was a quantity of dry mud. I made a search, and found the glass screen (produced) standing afainst the wall on the pavement, about 9 ft. from the window. I entered the office by the broken window, and then sent for Mr. Crumby. The desk in the office was a roll-top one, close up to the window. I found newspapers on the floor, but no indication of any person entering the office.

By Mr. Haines: The desk was in its proper position. Anyone could get into the office easily over the desk. I did myself. The sash on the pavement had to be removed before anyone could enter the office.

Mrs. Catherine Holford said: I am the wife of William Holford, landlord of the Isle of Cyprus Inn, on The Bayle. The prisoner is in my husband`s employ as barman. Last evening was his night out. I returned home about 11 o`clock; prisoner was not in then. I let him in about 20 minutes past twelve, as near as I can say. He then seemed all right to me, nothing in his demeanour attracting my notice.

By Mr. Haines: Prisoner has been in our employ just on four years.

Det. Sergt. A.W. Burniston said: At five minutes to twelve last night, as I was passing the bottom of Shellons Street, I saw the prisoner, whom I know, standing with his back to the office of 38, Shellons Street. On seeing me he walked a few yards up Shellons Street. I went to the corner of No. 38, and watched the prisoner. About a minut later he returned to the window and stood in the same position as when I first saw him. He remained there about a minute or two, and again walked a few yards up Shellons Street, when he stopped. As I was going towards him he walked towards me and met me on the corner. I stopped him and said “What are you doing in Shellons Street at this time of night? You had better get home”. He made no reply, but walked as far as the Rose, when he left me and went on The Bayle. I came into the police station. A few minutes later, from a communication I received, I went to 38, Shellons Street, and found the window of the office had been broken near the catch. The screen (produced) was standing on the pavement. Butler and Inspector Lilley were at the office. Inspector Lilley handed me the stone produced, which he had picked up in the roadway. The stone was then quite clean, as now produced. I examined the broken glass of the window, and found on it several impressions of dry mud. The window broken was plate glass. At twenty minutes to two, accompanied by Inspector Lilley and P.C. Butler, I visited the Isle of Cyprus Hotel, where I found prisoner lying on the bed fully dressed. Inspector Lilley cautioned the prisoner and said “I am going to ask you a few questions” He said “What were you doing in Shellons Street tonight?” He made no reply.

The Chairman: Burniston, the Bench consider that replies to a police constable when in answer to questions put to the prisoner are not admissible.

I examined his hands and found on the palm of each dry mud. I then said “I shall charge you with breaking and entering the office of 38, Shellons Street, with intent to commit a felony”. I cautioned him, and he said “I saw you. I met you on Grace Hill. You told me to go home”. Prisoner further said “I am not guilty”. He had been drinking, but was not drunk. I asked him how he accounted for the mud on his hands, and he said “I must have fallen down”.

By Haines: The mud on his fingers was dry. The stone produced is clean, and has no mud on it. We did not have to wake prisoner; he roused up as we entered the room, and recognised Inspector Lilley and I as we entered. At the station I searched the prisoner. He had 4s. 8½d. in money and some letters. When I saw the prisoner in Shellons Street I was watching him, not the window.

Without calling upon the accused the Chairman said: Spicer, the Bench have heard the evidence against you, and have unanimously come to the conclusion that there is no case against you. 

Folkestone Daily News 16-6-1906

Before Messrs. Ward, Fynmore, and Vaughan.

The licence of the Isle of Cyprus, The Bayle, was transferred to Mr. William Taylor, son of Mr. Tom Taylor.

Mr. William Taylor has been for 29 years at the Pavilion Hotel.

Folkestone Daily News 11-7-1906

Before Messrs. Hamilton, Fynmore, and Linton.

Licence Transfer

The Isle of Cyprus from T. Halkin (sic) to W. Taylor.

   

Folkestone Express 14-7-1906

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

This being the day fixed for the special licensing sessions, the following licence was transferred: The Isle of Cyprus, from Mr. Holford to Mr. E. Taylor

Folkestone Herald 14-7-1906

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

Licence was transferred as follows: The Isle of Cyprus, from Mr. Holford to Mr. Taylor

Folkestone Daily News 17-10-1906

Wednesday, October 17^th: Before Messrs. Swoffer, Linton, Leggett, and Ames.

Frank Head, a brewer`s assistant, in the employ of Messrs. Mackeson, was charged with obstructing the thoroughfare by leaving some cases of bottled beer outside the Isle of Cyprus.

He was fined 14s. 6d. including costs.

 

Folkestone Herald 20-10-1906

Wednesday, October 17^th: Before Mr. G.I. Swoffer, Major Leggett, Mr. T. Ames, and Mr. R.J. Linton.

Frank Head was summoned for causing an obstruction on The Bayle by leaving 36 cases containing bottles of beer on the pavement.

P.C. Butler said the cases remained on the pavement outside the Isle of Cyprus on The Bayle while defendant delivered some goods somewhere else.

Defendant, who admitted the constable`s statement, was fined 5s. and 9s. costs.

Folkestone Daily News 12-8-1907

Monday, August 12^th: Before The Mayor, Messrs. Leggett and Stainer.

Edward Moriarty was charged with being drunk and disorderly on Saturday on The Bayle. He pleaded Guilty.

P.S. Butcher said at 2 p.m. he saw the prisoner on The Bayle very drunk. Prisoner put himself in a fighting attitude, and threatened the landlord of the Cyprus Inn. As he refused to go away he was taken into custody.

He was fined 5s. and 4s. 6d. costs, or seven days`.

 

Folkestone Express 17-8-1907

Monday, August 12^th: Before The Mayor, J. Stainer, R.J. Linton, and G. Boyd Esqs.

On Saturday afternoon, shortly after two o`clock, P.C. Butcher was on The Bayle, when he saw Edward Moriarty being assisted out of the Isle of Cyprus public house in a rather unceremonious way. The landlord also came out of the house, and when in the roadway, Moriarty, who was drunk, put himself in a fighting attitude and twice rushed at the publican. The constable then thought it was time to interfere, and upon Moriarty refusing to go away he felt bound to take him away and keep him safe for a short time. When his bad behaviour was told to the Magistrates he said he had nothing to say as he was drunk.

The Chief Constable explained that the man had been about the town selling lavender for some days, and he had been spoken to once or twice about his conduct. The constable had made enquiries at the licensed house from which the man was ejected, and had found that he had not been served there.

The Mayor said the prisoner would have to pay 5s. and 4s. 6d. costs, or seven days` hard labour.

Moriarty had no money, so he went down.

Folkestone Daily News 13-4-1909

Tuesday, April 13^th: Before Messrs. Ward and Fynmore.

Thomas Spearpoint was charged with causing wilful damage at the Cyprus Inn, The Bayle, by breaking a plate glass window.

Corporal Edmonds, of the Military Foot Police, deposed that at 10.30 last night he was on duty on The Bayle, when he saw the prisoner, who was very excited. A large crowd was also there. Prisoner was about halfway between the Globe and the Cyprus. He said he would fight any soldier who was in the Cyprus, and came up to witness and shook his fist in his face, and said “You are a ---- lot of swankers”. Prisoner`s friends took him away in the direction of the Bayle Steps, but he returned a few minutes later and walked to the Cyprus. Witness walked in the direction of High Street, and while doing so he saw the prisoner strike the window of the Cyprus, breaking it. The landlord came out, and witness pointed the prisoner out to him, and followed the accused to High Street, where he was given into custody by the landlord.

William Edward Taylor, landlord of the Cyprus Inn, said at 10.30 last night the prisoner was in his house. Several of the prisoner`s friends were with him. They were making a lot of noise, and witness asked them to be quiet, or he would have to ask them to leave the house. As they did not desist he asked them to leave, and they did so. About ten minutes later he heard a crash of glass, and went out and found prisoner in the centre of the road, and a window broken. It was a plate glass one. Witness followed the prisoner to High Street, and there gave him into the custody of P.C. Johnson. The value of the window was £10. Prisoner was sober.

P.C. Johnson said he received the prisoner from the last witness at 10.40 last night for breaking the plate glass window at the Cyprus Inn. Prisoner was bleeding from the right hand, and was under the influence of drink. He became very violent, and witness had to get the assistance of another constable and two military police. On being charged he made no reply. The window is 7ft. by 6ft., and four feet from the ground.

Prisoner was committed to the Quarter Sessions on Monday next. Bail was allowed, himself in £20 and one surety of £20.

Folkestone Express 17-4-1909

Tuesday, April 13^th: Before Mr. E.T. Ward and Lieut. Col. Fynmore

Thomas Spearpoint, a fisherman, was charged with committing wilful damage by breaking a plate glass window at the Isle of Cyprus public house.

Corpl. Edmonds, of the Military Foot Police, stationed at Shorncliffe, said shortly after ten o`clock he was on duty on The Bayle, where he saw the prisoner, who was very excited, about half way between the Globe and the Isle of Cyprus. He was surrounded by a large crowd. He was shouting “I will fight any soldier you have got in the Cyprus”. He came up to witness and shook his fist in his face, and made use of an obscene expression. His friends took him away in the direction of the Parade Steps. He returned a few minutes after, and walked on the pavement past him (witness) in the direction of High Street. As he walked past the front window of the Isle of Cyprus he struck it with his fist and smashed it. Mr. Taylor, the landlord, came out of the house, and witness pointed the prisoner out to him. A constable eventually took the prisoner into custody.

William Edward Taylor, the landlord of the Isle of Cyprus, said just before 10.30 the previous night the prisoner was in his house with several friends. Prisoner was kicking up a bit of a row, and witness asked him not to do so. After using obscene language, the prisoner left the house with all his friends. About ten minutes after he heard a crash of glass, and on going outside he saw the prisoner in the middle of the road. He also found the centre window broken. Witness followed the prisoner and overtook him at the top of High Street, and when P.C. Johnson came up he gave him into custody. It would cost him £10 to replace the glass. The prisoner had been in and out of his house all the evening and was sober.

P.C. H. Johnson said he was called to the Isle of Cyprus public house at 10.40, and the landlord gave the prisoner into custody. He noticed that Spearpoint was bleeding from the right hand. He was under the influence of drink, but was not drunk. He became very violent, and witness had to obtain the assistance of P.C. Sales and two or three military police to get him to the police station. The window was 7ft. by 6ft.

Prisoner had nothing to say, except that he was very sorry.

The Magistrates committed him for trial at the Quarter Sessions on Monday next, bail being offered, himself in £20 and one surety of £20.

The Chairman called Mr. Taylor forward and said the Magistrates understood there had been several rows at his house lately, and it was not quite so well conducted as they would like it to be. He had better be careful. Spearpoint was in and out of the house all the evening, and although he was not drunk, he was suffering from drink. No sober man would have done such a thing. He must be more careful in the management of his house.

Folkestone Herald 17-4-1909

Tuesday, April 13^th: Before Mr. E.T. Ward and Lieut. Colonel R.J. Fynmore.

Thomas Spearpoint was charged with wilfully breaking a plate glass window at the Isle of Cyprus Inn the previous night.

Corpl. Edmunds, of the military foot police, stationed at Shorncliffe, stated that at 10.30 the previous night he was on duty on The Bayle.  He saw the prisoner, who was very excited. There was a big crowd round him. He was about half way between the Globe Inn and the Isle of Cyprus. He said he would fight any soldier in the Cyprus. He came up to witness and shook his fist in his face, saying that they were a lot of swanks. Prisoner`s friends took him away in the direction of the Parade Steps, but accused returned a few minutes after, and walked past witness in the direction of High Street. As he passed the window of the Cyprus he struck it with his fist and broke it. Mr. Taylor then came out and followed prisoner to the top of High Street. P.C. Johnson arrived, and took the prisoner into custody.

William Edward Taylor, landlord of the Isle of Cyprus Inn, stated that just before 10 o`clock the previous night the prisoner was in his house. There were several of his friends with him. They were making a bit of a row, so witness told them to be quiet, or he would have to ask them to leave the house. Prisoner used bad language to witness, so he asked them to leave the house. They did so. Soon after he had left the house, witness heard a crash of glass. Witness found the prisoner leaving the pavement; he was in the centre of the road. The window was broken. Witness followed the prisoner, and overtook him at the top of High Street, where he gave him into the custody of P.C. Johnson. Prisoner was sober. He valued the window at £10.

P.C. Johnson said at 10.40 the previous night he was called to the Isle of Cyprus. At the top of High Street witness saw prisoner and Mr. Taylor. Mr. Taylor said that he wished to give the prisoner into custody for breaking his window. Witness noticed that prisoner`s right hand was bleeding, and he was under the influence of drink. When witness took the prisoner into custody, he became very violent. With the assistance of P.C. Sales and two of the military police witness took the accused to the police station. When charged by Mr. Taylor he made no reply.

Prisoner now expressed his sorrow.

The Bench committed the accused to take his trial at the Quarter Sessions on Monday next.

The Chairman, addressing Mr. Taylor, said the Magistrates were given to understand that there had been several rows at his house lately. The prisoner was in and out of his house all the evening, and though perhaps he was not actually drunk, he was under the influence of drink. A sober man would not put his fist through a great plate glass window like that. He told Mr. Taylor to be careful.

Folkestone Daily News 19-4-1909

Quarter Sessions

Monday, April 19^th: Before J.C. Lewis Coward Esq.

Thomas Spearpoint was charged with breaking a plate glass window at the Cyprus Inn.

The evidence given at the hearing before the Magistrates was to the effect that the prisoner had been in the house drinking during the evening, and had been ordered to leave by the landlord owing to his conduct. He did so, and after a short time returned and smashed the window with his fist.

Defendant pleaded Guilty.

Mr. Weigall prosecuted and briefly detailed the facts, saying there was nothing known against him.

The Chief Constable said the prisoner had never been in trouble before.

The landlord was called and severely censured by the Recorder, who told him he did not believe what he had said. He also told the Chief Constable to keep his eye upon the house in question, and then bound the prisoner over to be of good behaviour for 12 months.

Folkestone Express 24-4-1909

Quarter Sessions

Monday, April 19^th: Before J.C. Lewis Coward Esq.

Thomas Spearpoint, aged 28, a fisherman, pleaded Guilty to wilfully breaking a plate glass window, the property of William Edward Taylor, the landlord of the Isle of Cyprus public house, and doing damage to the extent of £10, on April 12^th.

Mr. Weigall, who prosecuted for the Crown, said about half past ten the prisoner was in the Isle of Cyprus and he got a little noisy. The landlord properly requested him to leave. He went, and walked up the street, and about ten minutes or a quarter of an hour afterwards the landlord heard a crash of glass, and on going outside found that the prisoner had deliberately put his fist through the plate glass window. He did not know whether he did it to show a little resentment because of him being requested to leave. The constable who took the man into custody said Spearpoint had been drinking, but was not drunk.

The Chief Constable said there was nothing against the man, who was a Folkestone fisherman.

The Recorder: I have not had a Folkestone fisherman in the dock for many years.

Prisoner: I should not have been here now if I was not drunk at the time. I was in the house from seven o`clock to 10.30. The landlord said I was sober. I was drunk, and had been drinking all the evening. I also had drinks before I went into that man`s house.

The Chief Constable further said the prisoner was a hard-working man, and was single.

William Edward Taylor, the landlord, was called into the witness box. In reply to the Recorder, he said he had been in the house two years and nine months.

The Recorder: This man was in and out of your house, apparently, the whole of the evening?

Witness: About twice.

The Recorder: That is not what you said before the Magistrates. You said “He had been in and out of my house all the evening”. Is it true that it was so? Why do you say twice now? Be careful how you give evidence in Court. He says he was the worse for liquor. What do you say?

Witness: He only had two bottles of ale during the evening.

The Recorder: I do not believe you. I disallow your expenses. Go out of the Court.

The Chief Constable was questioned by the Recorder as to whether he had had any complaints about the house, and he replied that it had not been altogether satisfactory during the last few months.

The Recorder: I gathered as much from the depositions. Keep your eye on it.

The Chief Constable: Yes, sir.

The Recorder, addressing the prisoner, said he was very sorry to see a Folkestone fisherman in that position. The law looked upon that as a serious crime. Unfortunately, it said that he must be brought either before a judge at Assize or before him. He saw that the prisoner was violent when taken to the police station. He (the Recorder), however, believed he was really sorry for what he had done. He would give him another chance. He was not going to make a gaolbird of him. He (the prisoner) had had a taste of what prison was like. He should bind him over to be of good behaviour for a year. If he broke his parole he would be severely dealt with. He wished to say that he thought the prisoner`s position was brought about a great deal by the amount of drink he was allowed to have in the Isle of Cyprus.

Folkestone Herald 24-4-1909

Quarter Sessions

Monday, April 19^th: Before J.C. Lewis Coward Esq.

Thomas Spearpoint, a fisherman, was indicted of unlawfully and maliciously smashing a plate glass window at the Isle of Cyprus public house on 12^th April, and doing damage to the extent of £10. Prisoner pleaded Guilty.

Mr. L.A. Weigall prosecuted, and said that about 10.30 on the evening of the 12^th April prisoner was in the Isle of Cyprus public house, on The Bayle. He began to get a little noisy, and the landlord properly requested him to leave. He left the inn and went down the street, and about ten minutes or a quarter of an hour later the landlord heard a crash of glass. On going out he found that the prisoner had deliberately put his fist through the plate glass widnow. A lance corporal, who was called before the Magistrates, saw the occurrence, and said that the prisoner was making a noise in the street between the Isle of Cyprus and the Globe, and offering to fight soldiers. His friends took him away, but as he passed the Cyprus Inn he committed the wilful damage. When arrested, a constable said the prisoner had been drinking, but was not drunk.

The Chief Constable said the prisoner was a Folkestone fisherman, and had not been in trouble before.

The Recorder: I have not had a fisherman in the dock for many years. How did you come to do this?

Prisoner: I should not be here now if I was not drunk when I did it.

The Recorder: You had had a drop?

Prisoner: I was in this house from seven till nearly half past ten.

The Recorder: how many drinks did you have?

Prisoner: I was drinking all the evening. I had some before I went there.

The Recorder: Is he a hard-working man?

The Chief Constable: Yes.

The Recorder: Married?

The Chief Constable: No.

The Recorder ordered the landlord to be called.

William Edward Taylor then entered the box, and said that he was the landlord of the house.

The Recorder: Is it a tied house? – Yes.

You are the manager? – No, I am the proprietor.

How long have you been there? – Two years and nine months.

This man was in and out of your house apparently the whole evening – About twice.

That is not what you said before the Magistrates. What you said then was that he had been in and out of the house all the evening. Is that true? – Yes.

Why do you say twice to the Court now?

Witness gave no answer.

Be careful how you give evidence in Court. He says he was the worse for liquor. What do you say? – He only had two bottles of ale during the evening.

I don`t believ you. I disallow your expenses, sir. Go out of the box. (To the Chief Constable) Have there been any complaints about teh Cyprus?

The Chief Constable: It has not been altogether satisfactory during the last few months.

The Recorder: I gathered that from your depositions. Very well, you keep an eye on it. Addressing Spearpoint, he said that he was very sorry to see a Folkestone fisherman in the dock. The law looked upon that as a serious crime. He had no doubt that prisoner did not think of that in his drunken fit. He was very violent when arrested, and it required four men to remove him to the police station. He believed, however, that the prisoner was very sorry for what he had done, and he had said so when arrested. He would not make a gaolbird of him. He had already had a taste of what prison was like, but he would have no further taste. He would be bound over to be of good behaviour for twelve months, but if he did not behave himself, and was brought before that Court or the Magistrates, he would have broken his parole, and would be dealt with severely. He had no doubt that prisoner`s condition was brought about a good deal by what he had been allowed to have in the Cyprus public house.