Folkestone
Express 8-10-1910
Wednesday, October 5th: Before W.G. Herbert,
G.I. Swoffer, J. Stainer, R.J. Linton and G. Boyd Esqs., and Lieut. Col.
Fynmore.
The licence of the Packet Boat Inn, Radnor Street, was
transferred from Mr. Goldsmith to Mr. Deverson.
The
following licence was transferred: Packet Boat, Radnor Street, from Mr. T.
Goldsmith to Mr. Deverson.
The licence of the Packet Boat, Radnor Street, was transferred from Thomas Goldsmith to Mr. M. Deverson.
Folkestone
Herald 8-10-1910
Wednesday, October 5th: Before Mr. W.G.
Herbert, Alderman T.J. Vaughan, Lieut. Col. Fynmore, Messrs. G.I. Swoffer, R.J.
Linton, and G. Boyd.
The licence of the Packet Boat Inn, Radnor Street, was
temporarily transferred from Mr. Goldsmith to Mr. Deverson.
Folkestone
Daily News 30-11-1910
Wednesday, November 30th: Before Messrs.
Herbert, Stainer, Leggett, Fynmore, and Linton.
The licence of the Packet Boat was transferred from Mr.
T. Goldsmith to Mr. Deneson (sic).
Folkestone
Express 3-12-1910
Wednesday, November 30th: Before Mr. W.G.
Herbert, Lieut. Colonel Fynmore, Major Leggett, and J. Stainer and R.J. Linton
Esqs.
Folkestone
Herald 3-12-1910
Wednesday, November 30th: Before Mr. W.G.
Herbert, Major Leggett, Lieut. Col. Fynmore, and Messrs. R.J. Linton and J.
Stainer.
The licence of the Packet Boat, Radnor Street, was transferred from Thomas Goldsmith to Mr. M. Deverson.
Folkestone
Express 19-8-1911
Tuesday, August 15th: Before The Mayor,
Lieut. Col. Hamilton, and W.G. Herbert, J. Stainer, G.I. Swoffer, and G. Boyd
Esqs.
Frederick Hawkins and Martha Pharaoh were charged with
using obscene language the previous evening in Radnor Street. They pleaded
Guilty.
P.C. Watson said at 9.45 p.m., in consequence of
complaints he received, he went to Radnor Street. There he saw the prisoners
outside the Packet Boat Inn in a fighting attitude. They were making use of
disgusting language and caused a crowd to assemble. He then took them into custody,
with the assistance of P.C. Fox.
Hawkins said they had had an extra drop of drink, and
they commenced to argue over nothing. They were going to leave the town if the
Magistrates gave them a chance. They promised it should not occur again. That
was the first time they had been in trouble of that kind.
The Chief Constable said the prisoners were two
“visitors” staying at the Radnor lodging house.
The Mayor said Hawkins would be fined 5s. and 4s. 6d.
costs, or seven days` in default. They understood that Pharaoh had a little
girl aged three years, and on that account she would be discharged.
Folkestone
Herald 19-8-1911
Tuesday, August 15th: Before The Mayor and
Messrs. W.G. Herbert, J. Stainer, G.I. Swoffer and G. Boyd.
Frederick Hawkins and Martha Pharoah were charged with
using obscene language, and both pleaded Guilty.
P.C. Watson stated that at about 9.45 the previous
evening, in Radnor Street, he saw the two prisoners outside the Packet Boat Inn
in a fighting attitude. They were both using filthy language. A crowd had
assembled, consisting chiefly of women and children. As neither would desist,
witness, with the assistance of P.C. Fox, brought them to the police station.
Hawkins said he was sorry. He and the other prisoner
had had a little too much to drink, and had started quarrelling.
The Chief Constable said nothing was know about
prisoners. They were two visitors staying at the Radnor lodging house.
The Chairman said that Hawkins would be fined 5s. and
4s. 6d. costs, or 7 days`, but as he understood the prisoner Pharoah had a
child three years old at home, the case against her would be dismissed this
time.
Folkestone
Daily News 10-10-1911
Tuesday, October 10th: Before Justices
Herbert, Stainer, Linton and Boyd.
Maurice Francis Deverson was summoned for selling beer
at the Packet Boat on the 4th Oct at 11.25, to wit, prohibited
hours.
Inspector Lawrence deposed to seeing men enter the
house at 11.23 on the night in question. The lights were full on and he saw defendant
serve three fishermen with a pint of beer for which one paid 1s. and received
the change. Witness saw through the window. He the tried the door, which was
locked. He knocked and the landlord opened the door and he told him that what
he was doing was wrong. Defendant replied that it was not so, and that he was
allowed to serve fishermen who came in from the sea. The men gave their names
and said they belonged to a Brighton boat that was lying in the harbour.
Defendant told the men not to be frightened as the prosecution had not got a
leg to stand on. The inspector knew all about it. The house had always been
permitted to serve fishermen who came in from sea. The men said they had just
returned from sea. The three men had not been summoned.
P.C. Kettle corroborated the evidence given by
Inspector Lawrence.
Mr. Rutley Mowll defended, and argued that there was no
offence as the men were fishermen and in law bona fide travellers.
Mr. Deverson, the landlord, deposed that many fishermen
used the house, and the men were Brighton fishermen who have always used the
house. He gave them the facilities of washing, shaving, and having letters
addressed. The men came in from sea on the night in question. He knew they had
been at sea since the previous morning.
William Taylor, of the “Bonnie Kate” of Brighton,
deposed he lived at Brighton, and was on the mackerel season, coming into
Folkestone to sell the fish. They left the Varne at 9.30 p.m. on Tuesday night
and arrived at Folkestone on Wednesday morning at 1.30 a.m. He sent their fish
on shore in a ferry boat to sell, and also to get some grub. They returned at 9
a.m. He went out again on Wednesday night, shot and hauled their nets. It was a
fine wind and they got back to Folkestone at 11 p.m. They made fast to the
jetty and went to the Packet Boat and had a drink. They had not been on shore
since the Tuesday morning.
The case was dismissed.
Folkestone
Express 14-10-1911
Local News
A case of interest to publicans came before the
Magistrates at the Folkestone Police Court on Tuesday morning when Maurice
Francis Deverson, landlord of the Packet Boat Inn, Radnor Street, was summoned
for selling beer during prohibited hours. The Magistrates were W.G. Herbert, J.
Stainer, R.J. Linton, and G. Boyd Esqs.
Mr. Rutley Mowll, solicitor, appeared for defendant,
and pleaded Not Guilty.
At the request of the Magistrates, the witnesses on
both sides left the court.
Inspector Lawrence said at twenty three minutes past
eleven on Wednesday night, the 4th October, he was in Radnor Street
in company with P.C. Kettle, when he saw two men enter the front door of the
Packet Boat Inn, which was kept by the defendant. Witness and Kettle at once
went to the house, and they saw that the lights were full on in the front bar.
On looking through the window, witness saw defendant behind the bar, while
three fishermen were standing in the bar. Defendant served each of the men with
a pint, evidently of beer. One of the men, who afterwards gave the name of
William Taylor, laid a coin on the counter, and defendant took it and handed
back Taylor some change. Witness then tried the front door, and found it was
locked. Defendant opened it, and witness and Kettle walked in. Witness pointed
to the three men and the three glasses on the counter, which he observed
contained beer, and asked what was the meaning of it. Defendant said the men
had just come in from sea. Witness replied “You know they have no right here”.
Defendant said witness had made a mistake. They were allowed to come in after
they had been to sea. Witness went to the men and asked them their names, which
they gave as follows:- William Tayloy, 25, Claremont Road, Brighton; Charles
Barnard, 26, George Street, Brighton; and John Taylor, 33, Grosvenor Street,
Brighton. They said they were fishermen on the Bonny Kate, 60SM, a Brighton
boat. While taking their names the defendant said “Don`t be afraid; they have
not got a leg to stand on. The super knows all about it”. Witness told
defendant that he should report him for keeping his house open for the sale of
intoxicating liquors during prohibited hours. Defendant said he knew what
witness was going to do directly he came into the bar. The fishermen had always
been allowed to come in there when they had come back from sea. The sea was
no-man`s land. Witness told the three men that they would be reported for being
found on licensed premises during prohibited hours. William Taylor, in
defendant`s presence, said they had been to sea since ten o`clock the previous
morning and had always come there when they used the harbour. Witness said they
had been trading in the harbour for some time now. Taylor replied “Yes, two or
three weeks”. The men then drank up their beer and left. Kettle and witness
followed them and they then went into the Fish Market.
Mr. Mowll: When you went into the house on Wednesday
evening had you any reason to doubt that the three fishermen had then just
returned from sea? – I believe they had.
By the Clerk: He saw two men enter by the front door of
the house. When he got to the window he saw three men.
P.C. Kettle corroborated. He added that the boat had
been at Folkestone a fortnight previous to the night of the 4th.
Mr. Mowll then addressed the Magistrates. He said the
Magistrates had already got the evidence of the prosecution to show that those
three men were Brighton fishermen, who had, in fact, as the Inspector himself
believed, just returned from sea. And those three men said at the time, and
there had been no evidence to contradict it, that they went to sea at ten
o`clock on the Tuesday morning, and did not return until eleven o`clock on
Wednesday evening. On returning from sea, they went straight to the Packet
Boat, a public house which they always used when they were in Folkestone. On
those facts there was quite sufficient evidence before them to justify them in
dismissing the case, and they could pretty well see from the evidence of the
prosecution what was the line of the defence. It was that those men were what
the law called bona-fide travellers. The mere fact of their being at sea would
not make them bona fide travellers, because they might have been at sea within
three miles of the Packet Boat Inn. That they were travellers in fact, there
could not be the slightest doubt. They went out on the Tuesday morning to the
Varne, and they did not return until eleven o`clock on the Wednesday night. And
if the facts were as he was going to submit them to the Magistrates, he thought
they would have very little doubt in coming to the conclusion that those men
were bona fide travellers.
Defendant then went into the witness box. He said he
was the licensee of the Packet Boat Inn, Radnor Street. A good many fishermen
used the house. When he went into the house twelve months ago the two men,
Taylor and Williams, were in there, and he knew them as Brighton fishermen. He
had not seen anything of them since until the present mackerel season. About
ten o`clock on the Tuesday morning he saw the Bonny Kate go out to sea, and he
knew the crew were going out to the Varne. He did not see anything of the three
men until Wednesday evening after eleven o`clock. He closed his house at eleven
o`clock. When the men came to the door he asked them whether they had just come
back from sea, and they said “Yes”. They wore their oilskins. He believed they
had just returned from the Varne, and he served them with beer. He would not
have done so if he had not believed they were bona fide travellers.
By the Chief Constable: The men had their meals on the
boat. They said they had been to sea since ten o`clock the previous morning,
and he believed it.
William Taylor, 25, Claremont Road, Brighton, said he
was the skipper of the fishing lugger Bonny Kate. On Tuesday, 3rd
October, he left Folkestone harbour at ten o`clock in the morning and went to
the Varne lightship to catch mackerel. He and the crew left the Varne at 9.30
in the evening. The wind was W.N.W. – a contrary wind – and they got off
Folkestone at 1.30 on Wednesday morning. They then anchored in the roads, about
a mile or a mile and a half from shore. They put the fish into a ferry punt and
sent them ashore. The men and two boys left at a quarter to seven and they
brought back some food. They then went towards the Varne again, and left about
a quarter to ten in the evening. The wind was more favourable and they got back
to Folkestone at eleven o`clock. They came into the harbour, made fast to a
jetty, and then went into the Packet Boat for a drink. From the time witness
went out to sea on Tuesday morning until he went into the public house after
eleven o`clock on Wednesday evening he had not been ashore.
The Chairman: I suppose the remaining witnesses will
only prove exactly the same as this man.
Mr. Mowll: On the same lines.
No further evidence was given, and the Chairman said
the Magistrates were unanimously of the opinion that those men were not in the
strict sense of the term bona fide travellers. At the same time, they were
satisfied that the defendant used his best endeavours to find out whether they
were or not, and that he fully believed they were. The police were perfectly
justified in bringing the case, which would be dismissed.
Folkestone
Herald 14-10-1911
Tuesday, October 10th: Before Messrs. W.G.
Herbert, J. Stainer, R.J. Linton, and G. Boyd.
Maurice Francis Deverson, the licensee of the Packet
Boat Inn, Radnor Street, was summoned for selling intoxicating liquor during
prohibited hours. Mr. Rutley Mowll appeared for the defendant.
Inspector Lawrence stated that at twenty three minutes
past eleven the previous Wednesday night, the 14th instant, he was
in Radnor Street in company with P.C. Kettle, when he saw two men enter the
front door of the Packet Boat Inn, Radnor Street. Witness at once went to the
house, and saw that the lights were full on in the front bar. On looking
through the window he saw the defendant behind the counter, and that three
fishermen were standing in the bar. Defendant served each of the men with a
pint of what apparently was beer, and one of the men, who afterwards gave the
name of William Taylor, put a coind on the counter, which defendant took.
Witness then tried the front door, and found that it was locked. Defendant
opened the door, and witness walked into the bar with P.C. Kettle. He asked the
defendant for an explanation, and he replied that the men had just come in from
sea. Witness said that they had no right there, and defendant replied “You have
made a mistake. They are allowed to come in after they have been to sea”.
Witness asked the men their names, and they gave them as follows: William
Taylor, 25, Claremont Road, Brighton; Charles Bernard, 26, George Street,
Brighton; John Taylor, 33, Grosvenor Street, Brighton, fishermen on the Bonnie
Kate, 60 S.M. S.M. meant that the boat was registered at Shoreham. Whilst
witness was taking their names, defendant said to him “Do not be afraid; they
have not got a leg to stand on. The Super knows all about it”. Witness then
told the defendant that he would report him, and he replied “I knew what you
were going to do directly you came in at the door. They had always been allowed
to come here when they came back from sea. The sea is no-man`s-land”. Witness
told the three men that they would be reported, and Wm. Taylor replied “We have
been at sea since ten o`clock yesterday morning, and I have always come here
when we use this harbour”. Witness said “You have been trading in this harbour
for some time now”, and the defendant replied “Yes, for three weeks”. They then
left.
Cross-examined by Mr. Mowll: The three fishermen had
not been summoned. Witness believed that the men had just returned from sea
when he saw them in the inn.
P.C. Kettle corroborated.
Addressing the Magistrates for the defence, Mr. Mowll
said that they had already got evidence for the prosecution that these three
men were fishermen, and the Inspector himself told them that he believed the
men had just returned from sea, and there was no evidence to prove that they
did not start out at ten o`clock on Tuesday morning, and did not return until
eleven o`clock on Wednesday. On returning they went straight to the Packet Boat
Inn. On those facts there was not sufficient evidence before them in dismissing
the case, but they could pretty well see from the evidence of the prosecution
what was going to be the line of the defence. It was this: that the men were
what the law called bona fide travellers. The mere fact of their being at sea
would not make them bona fide travellers, because they might have been at sea
within three miles of the Packet Boat Inn, and if they had been lodging the
previous night within three miles, that in itself would not justify them in
holding that they were within the meaning of the law bona fide travellers. That
they were travellers in fact there could not be the slightest doubt. On Tuesday
morning they went to the Varne, and did not, in fact, come ashore until eleven
o`clock on the Wednesday, and if the facts were as he was going to submit them
to the Bench, he thought they would have very little doubt in coming to the
conclusion that they were bona fide travellers. Of course, the important time
was, not Wednesday, but Tuesday. The important point in the eye of the law was
as to where the men were on Tuesday evening. On Tuesday morning they went to
the Varne, and got back off Folkestone between one and two on Wednesday
morning. Therefore on Tuesday evening those men were at the Varne, and if they
were satisfied that that was so, the mere fact that they came off Folkestone
some time after midnight would not affect the Magistrates` judgement that they
were bona fide travellers. But he wanted also to put the case before them on a
broad principle. These men were at sea for a matter of 36 hours, and if they
were not to be considered bona fide travellers, who was? Broadly speaking,
these men were travellers.
Maurice Deverson (the defendant) stated that he was the
licensee of the Packet Boat Inn. He knew that the men were Brighton fishermen.
They came about a fortnight ago, when the mackerel season commenced. When they
were in Folkestone they always made a practice of using witness`s house. On
Tuesday morning he saw the Bonnie Kate go out at about ten o`clock, and he knew
that they were going to the Varne. He did not see anything of them from the
Tuesday to the Wednesday, shortly after 11 p.m. He was going upstairs, when one
of the men came and knocked at the door. Witness asked him whether he had just
come back from sea, and he replied in the affirmative. They were all dressed in
their oilskins and sou`westers. He believed that they had just returned from
the Varne. He would not have served them had he not believed that they were
bona fide travellers.
Questioned by the Chief Constable, witness said the men
had their meals on board the vessel.
William Taylor said that he lived at 25, Claremont
Road, Brighton, and was skipper of the Bonnie Kate. On Tuesday, the 3rd
instant, he left Folkestone in the vessel at 10 a.m., and went to the Varne.
They remained there till 9.30 p.m. The wind was contrary at N.N.W. They made
for Folkestone, and anchored in the roads at about 1.30 on Wednesday morning.
Later in the morning they put one of the crew in the ferry punt with their
catch, and sent him ashore to get food. Later they again left for the Varne,
and let in their nets there about four. About a quarter to ten on Wednesday
night they again left the Varne for Folkestone harbour, and arrived in the
harbour at about eleven. They made fast to the jetty, and went direct to the
Packet Boat Inn. From the time they went out at ten o`clock on the Tuesday
morning until they went into the public house after eleven on Wednesday evening
witness and his mates had not been ashore once.
The Chairman asked whether the evidence of the rest of
the witnesses for the defence would be the same.
Mr. Mowll: On the same lines.
The Chairman said that the Bench were unanimously of
opinion that these men were not, in the strict term of the law, bona fide
travellers, but they fully believed that the defendant used his best endeavours
to find out whether they were or not, and also felt that the police were fully
justified in bringing the case before them. The summons would be dismissed.
Folkestone
Express 23-12-1911
Tuesday, December 19th: Before Alderman
Vaughan and R.G. Wood Esq.
The licence of the Packet Boat Inn was temporarily
transferred from Mr. Deverson to Mr. A. Goodall.
Note: Date is at variance with More Bastions.
Folkestone
Herald 23-12-1911
Tuesday, December 19th: Before Alderman
Jenner and Councillor R.G. Wood.
A temporary transfer of the Packet Boat Inn, Radnor
Street, from Mr. Deverson to Mr. Goodall was authorised.
Note: Date is at variance with More Bastions.
Folkestone
Express 20-1-1912
Local News
The Transfer Sessions were held at the Police Court on
Wednesday morning, when the licence of the Rendezvous Hotel again came before
the Bench. The Magistrates were E.T. Ward Esq., Lieut. Col. Fynmore, Major
Leggett, Alderman Jenner, and W.G. Herbert Esq.
The licence of the Packet Boat was transferred from Mr.
Deverson to Mr. Goodall. Temporary authority was granted on December 19th.
Note: Date is at variance with More Bastions.
Folkestone
Herald 20-1-1912
Wednesday, January 17th: Before Mr. E.T.
Ward, Lieut. Col. R.J. Fynmore, Major Leggett, Alderman C. Jenner, and Mr. W.G.
Herbert.
The transfer of the Packet Boat Inn from Mr. Deverson
to Mr. Goodall, for which temporary authority had been granted on December 19th,
was granted.
The Chief Constable intimated that it was quite
satisfactory.
Folkestone
Express 16-3-1912
Friday, March 8th: Before Alderman Vaughan
and Lieut. Col. Fynmore.
Ellen Smart, a licensed pedlar, was charged with being
drunk in Radnor Street the previous evening. She admitted the offence.
P.C. Waters said at 9.40 the previous evening he was in
Radnor Street, where he saw the prisoner, who was drunk, ejected from the
Packet Boat public house. She became very excited, and commenced shouting at
the top of her voice. He advised her to go away, but she refused to do so. As
she did not do as requested, and continued to make herself a nuisance, he took
her into custody.
Prisoner said she was very sorry, but she had not been
used to take strong drink.
The Chief Constable (Mr. Reeve) said the prisoner was a
stranger to them.
Prisoner`s husband said they had only been in the town
two days.
The Magistrates discharged the woman on promising to
leave the town.
Folkestone
Daily News 13-6-1912
Monday, June 10th: Before Messrs. Herbert,
Stainer, Boyd, Swoffer, Harrison, Young and Stace.
Francis John Maidment was charged with stealing a new
sunblind, the property of someone unknown. He was first charged with being
drunk and disorderly, but this charge was afterwards dismissed.
Charles Petley deposed to being in the Packet Boat on
Saturday evening last, and saw prisoner there. The sunblind produced was close
to his feet. Defendant said he wanted 2/6 for it. Witness asked him if he had
stolen it, and defendant replied “No”. Witness then bought it for 2/6 and took
it down to the boat. He threw it open and saw that it was new cloth, which at
once aroused his suspicions.
Inspector Lawrence said that at 10 p.m. on Saturday he
was in Harbour Street, when the last witness came to him, and accompanied by
P.C. Butcher they went to a boat (DR No. 8) in the harbour, where he was shown
the sunblind produced. They then went to Radnor Street, where they saw the
defendant, who was helplessly drunk. Witness brought him to the police station
and charged him with being drunk and incapable, and also charged him with
stealing the sunblind from some person at present unknown. Defendant replied
that he had no recollection about it at all.
A sailmaker valued the blind at from 44s. to 50s.
Prisoner was remanded until Tuesday week.
Folkestone
Express 15-6-1912
Monday, June 10th: Before W.G. Herbert, J.
Stainer, G.I. Swoffer, G. Boyd, W. Harrison, W.C. Young, and A. Stace Esqs.
Francis John Maidment was charged with being drunk and
incapable on Saturday night.
The Chief Constable (Mr. Reeve) said the prisoner was
arrested on Saturday night on a charge of being drunk and incapable, but as a
result of enquiries subsequently made he was charged with stealing a new canvas
sunblind, the property of some person unknown. He, therefore, should like to
withdraw the charge of drunkenness and proceed with the charge against the
prisoner of stealing the sunblind.
The Magistrates gave permission for the charge of
drunkenness to be withdrawn, and the charge of stealing to be preferred against
Maidment.
Charles Petley, a labourer, living on board a boat in
the harbour, said on Saturday night, about nine o`clock, he was in the Packet
Boat public house, when he saw the prisoner. The sunblind (produced) was close
to his feet, and he asked witness if he would give him half a crown for it. He
said to prisoner “Have you stole it?”, and prisoner replied “No”. He asked him
if he was sure about it, and he said “Yes”. He eventually gave him 2s. 6d. for
it, and he took the bundle down on board the boat to see what it was. He found
it was a new cloth. That made him suspicious, and he came on shore again and
saw Inspector Lawrence, who came and looked at the canvas. He later accompanied
the Inspector to Radnor Street, where they saw the prisoner sitting on the
pavement. The police eventually took possession of the canvas.
Inspector Lawrence said at ten o`clock on Saturday
night he was in Harbour Street, when the last witness went to him, and from
what he said P.C. Butcher and he
accompanied Petley to the boat where he lived. Petley showed him the
canvas produced, and he found it was a sunblind. He accompanied him (witness)
into Radnor Street, where he pointed out the prisoner sitting on the pavement.
He found Maidment was helplessly drunk, so he brought him to the police
station. P.C. Butcher took possession of the blind and brought it to the police
station. After making enquiries on Sunday morning he showed prisoner the
sunblind, and said to him “This blind was sold by you to a man named Petley for
2s. 6d. in the Packet Boat yesterday, and I shall now charge you with stealing
it from some person or persons unknown”. He then cautioned him, and he replied
“I have no recollection about it at all”. The sunblind was valued at from 45s.
to 50s.
The Chief Constable said that was as far as he could
take the case that day, and he asked for a remand so that further enquiries
could be made.
The prisoner was remanded until next Tuesday.
Folkestone
Herald 15-6-1912
Monday, June 10th: Before Mr. W.G. Herbert,
Mr. J. Stainer, Mr. G.I. Swoffer, Mr. G. Boyd, Councillor W.J. Harrison,
Councillor A. Stace, and Councillor W.C. Young.
Francis John Maidment was charged with being drunk and
incapable.
The Chief Constable said the prisoner was arrested on
Saturday night on a charge of being drunk and incapable in Radnor Street, but
as a result of various inquiries which had been made, accused was now charged
with stealing a new canvas sunblind, the property of some person or persons
unknown, and with the permission of the Bench he would like to withdraw the
charge of drunkenness.
Charles George Petling, a labourer in the employ of the
Corporation, said that he was in the Packet Boat Inn on Saturday night at about
9. Prisoner was also there, and the cloth produced was lying near his feet. He
offered it to witness for sale, saying that he wanted 2s. 6d. for it. Witness
said “Have you stolen it?” Prisoner replied “No”, and witness eventually gave
him 2s. 6d. for it. He took it out and down the street, and opened it to see what
it was. When he found out that it was a new cloth his suspicions were aroused,
and he went and told Inspector Lawrence, who came and looked at the canvas.
Insp. Lawrence said when the accused was charged he
replied that he had no recollection about it at all. The blind had been valued
at between 45s. and 50s.
The Chief Constable asked for a remand, and prisoner
was thereupon remanded until next Tuesday.
Folkestone
Express 22-6-1912
Tuesday, June 18th: Before W.G. Herbert
Esq., Lieut. Col. Hamilton, J. Stainer, G.I. Swoffer, R.J. Linton, G. Boyd, A.
Stace and W.C. Young Esqs.
Francis John Maidment was brought up on remand charged
with stealing a sunblind.
The Chief Constable said a week ago the prisoner was
before the Magistrates charged with stealing a sunblind, the property of some
person unknown. They had since ascertained that it belonged to Messrs. Upton.
There was one additional witness to be called, and after his evidence he should
ask them, if they were satisfied that a prima facie case was made out, to
commit him for trial at the next Quarter Sessions.
Charles Rowe, of 37, Warwick Road, said he was in the
employ of Messrs. Upton Bros., in Sandgate Road. The sunblind produced was the
property of his employers, it having been specially made. On Friday, June 7th,
he removed the blind, together with another one, at about 11 a.m. from off a
case in a lodge in the backyard, and placed them on a dinner wagon. Both blinds
were new, only having been used six times. The value of the blind was 45s. He
missed the blind on Monday, the 10th, at nine o`clock. He made
enquiries and reported the loss to the manager. Afterwards a constable came to
the shop, and he (witness) later went to the police station and identified it.
The yard opened into Alexandra Gardens, and the doors were opened at half past
eight in the morning and remained so until eight o`clock in the evening.
Prisoner said he knew nothing about it.
The Magistrates thereupon committed him for trial at
the Quarter Sessions, bail being offered him in £10 and one surety of £10.
Folkestone
Herald 22-6-1912
Local News
At the Borough Police Court on Tuesday, Francis John
Maidment was committed for trial on a charge of stealing a sunblind, the
property of Mr. Upton, of Sandgate Road.
Folkestone
Daily News 13-7-1912
Quarter Sessions
Saturday, July 13th: Before J.C. Lewis
Coward Esq.
Francis John Maidment, 69, labourer, who was committed
for trial on the 8th of June for feloniously stealing one canvas
sunblind, value £2 5s. 0d., the property of Phillip Charles Upton, Frederick
Sidney Upton, and Rowland Clark Upton, pleaded Not Guilty.
Mr. Weigall prosecuted for the Crown, and briefly
addressed the jury upon the two charges against the prisoner – that of stealing
the sunblind, and secondly of its being in his possession and well-knowing it
to have been stolen.
Charles Rowe identified the blind as the property of
Messrs. Upton Bros.
A man named Petley proved purchasing the blind from
prisoner for 2s. 6d. He (Petley) understood it was a roll of old canvas, but on
discovering it to be a new and valuable blind at once gave information to the
police.
Inspector Lawrence corroborated, and proved the arrest
of the prisoner. Prisoner when charged said he had no recollections about it at
all. He was drunk when arrested.
Prisoner did not ask the witness any questions, and
said he did not steal the canvas. He knew nothing about it.
The jury returned a verdict of Guilty of stealing the
blind.
A previous conviction was proved by P.C. Clay, of the
Metropolitan Police, who said he was present at the West Kent Sessions on April
8th, 1904, when prisoner was sentenced in the name of John Davis.
There were seven previous convictions for stealing, dating back to 1888. He had
served 3 years penal servitude at Maidstone.
Chief Constable Reeve proved an additional conviction –
3 months hard labour at Aldershot for failing to report himself while a convict
on licence.
Prisoner said for six years he had been trying to get
an honest living, and when he got the three months he had lost his papers and
went to the police station himself.
The Recorder sentenced the prisoner to hard labour for
twelve calendar months.
Folkestone
Express 20-7-1912
Quarter Sessions
Saturday, July 13th: Before J.C. Lewis
Coward Esq.
Francis John Maidment, 69, a labourer, was charged with
stealing a canvas sunblind, of the value of £2 5s., the property of Messrs.
Upton Bros., Sandgate Road, on June 8th. He was also charged with
receiving it, well-knowing it to have been stolen. Prisoner pleaded Not Guilty.
Mr. Weigall prosecuted on behalf of the Crown.
Charles Rowe, 31, Foord Road, said he was employed by
the prosecutors as porter. On the 7th June he moved the sunblind
produced from one side of the shed at the rear of the premises to the other,
putting it on a dinner wagon. On the 10th he missed it, and he was
later shown it at the police station. It had been used six times.
Charles Tyrell Petley, a labourer, said he lived on a
boat in the harbour. On June 8th he was in the Packet Boat public
house, when the prisoner came in with what he thought was a piece of canvas. He
bought it from him for 2s. 6d., but when he got on board he found it was a
sunblind. He therefore brought it ashore, handed it over to the police, and gave
information to them. Later he pointed out the prisoner to Inspector Lawrence.
Inspector Lawrence said Petley pointed out the prisoner
to him in Radnor Street. He helped the prisoner to his feet, as he was sitting
on the pavement, and he found he was helplessly drunk. He took him to the
police station, where he charged him with being drunk and incapable. On the
following morning he charged prisoner with stealing the sunblind, and he
replied “I have no recollection about it at all”.
The jury returned a verdict of Guilty.
P.C. Clay, of the Metropolitan Police, stated that he
was present at the West Kent Sessions at Maidstone, on April 8th,
1904, when the prisoner was sentenced to three years` penal servitude for
stealing a garden hose and other articles, in the name of John Davis. There
were seven other previous convictions against him at that time, including 18
monts` hard labour at Surrey Sessions for housebreaking. All the convictions
were for theft.
The Chief Constable said on November 29th,
1906, the prisoner was sentenced to three months` at Aldershot for failing to
report himself as a convict on licence.
Prisoner said he had been trying to get an honest
living during the last six years, selling matches, laces, oranges, or anything.
When he got the sentence for failing to report himself he told the police he
had lost his papers and he gave himself up.
The Recorder said he had been considering whether he
should send him to penal servitude. His first inclination was to do so. It
seemed to him it was no use them allowing such a wastrel to wander about
seeking what he could get hold of. His fellow justices seemed to have a more
lenient view of the matter. Having regard to the fact that he had not been in
trouble for six years, and that he was 69 years of age, he did not propose to
send him to penal servitude. The sentence he passed upon him was that he be
imprisoned for twelve calendar months with hard labour.
Folkestone
Herald 20-7-1912
Quarter Sessions
Saturday, July 13th: Before J.C. Lewis
Coward Esq.
Francis John Maidment, 69, labourer, was indicted for
stealing one canvas sunblind, value £2 5s., the goods and chattels of Philip
Charles Upton, Fredk. Sidney Upton, and Rowland Clark Upton, on June 8th.
Mr. Weigall prosecuted, and briefly explained the case.
Charles Rowe stated that he lived at 37, Foord Road,
and was employed by Messrs. Upton Bros., Sandgate Road, as a porter. He
identified the canvas sunblind produced as belonging to his employers. On the 6th
June he removed it at 11 a.m. to the dinner wagon in the lodge in Alexandra
Road, at the rear of their premises. On Monday, 10th June, he missed
the blind at 9 a.m., and communicated with the police. It was valued at 45s.
There were two big gates opening into the yard, which were open all day till 8
o`clock at night.
Chas. Petley, labourer, stated that he lived on a boat
in the Folkestone Harbour. On Sunday, 8th June, he saw prisoner in
the Packet Boat Inn, in Radnor Street. He had a piece of canvas (produced), and
asked if witness would buy it. He asked him where he got it from, and accused
replied that it was made a present to him. Witness bought it for 2s. 6d. and
took it down to his boat. On stretching it out he saw what it was, and went
back to the Packet Boat, and then to the police station. Inspector Lawrence
went with him to the bottom of High Street, and they proceeded to the boat.
Prisoner had just gone out from the Packet Boat. He was found lying across the
footpath, and witness pointed him out to the police. Witness had suspicions of
him.
Inspector Lawrence deposed that on Saturday, 8th
June, he was in Harbour Street, when Petley came to him. From what he said, witness
accompanied him to his boat, and saw the sunblind produced. Next he accompanied
Petley to Radnor Street, and, after giving the blind into the possession of
P.C. Butcher to bring to the police station, he saw the prisoner lying on the
pavement drunk. He helped accused to his feet and brought him to the police
station, charging him with being drunk and incapable. Enquiries were afterwards
made, and prisoner was later charged with stealing the sunblind. Accused said
“I have no recollection about it at all”.
Prisoner said he had nothing to say. He knew nothing at
all about it. He left it to the Recorder to decide. He worked hard selling
matches. He sold laces. He did whatever he could to get an honest living. He
did not steal the blind at all.
The jury found the prisoner Guilty, and he admitted a
previous conviction for felony on the 7th April, 1904, in the name
of John Davis.
P.C. Thos. Clay, of the Marylebone Police, stated that
the accused was sentenced at the West Kent Quarter Sessions on 8th
April, 1904, to three years` penal servitude. There were several other
convictions, dating back to 1888, for stealing clothing, stealing from the
person, housebreaking, stealing a bag, etc., stealing a skirt, etc.
In answer to the Recorder, witness stated that he did
not know anything good of the accused. He went about the country selling rags
and bones, and getting hold of whatever he could.
The Chief Constable said there was another conviction
recorded against the accused. In 1906 he was sentenced to three months` at
Aldershot for failing to report himself as a convict on licence. Since then
nothing had been recorded against him.
The Recorder: Why was he not proceeded against as an
habitual criminal?
Mr. Wardley said they could not prove a life of
dishonesty for the last two years.
Prisoner stated that he had been trying to get an
honest living selling matches and other things for the last six years.
The Recorder said the only thing he had been
considering was whether he should send prisoner to penal servitude. His first
inclination was to do so. It seemed to him to be no good letting a wastrel go
about seeking to get hold of what he could. However, his brother Justices
seemed to think that a little more lenient view might be taken. He did not know
that it would be the better thing, but, having regard to the fact that he had
not been in trouble for four years, and to the fact that he was 69 years of
age, he did not propose to send him to penal servitude, although if accused
came there again he would go to it. The sentence would be twelve months`
imprisonment with hard labour.
An order was made for the 2s. 6d. to be refunded to the
witness Petley.
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