Packet Boat (2) 1920s

Folkestone Express 5-2-1921

Local News

On Tuesday morning at the Police Court the following temporary transfer was granted: the Packet Boat, Radnor Street, to Mr. J.W. Twigg, Ramsgate.

Folkestone Herald 12-2-1921

Annual Licensing Sessions

Wednesday, February 9^th: Before The Mayor, Sir Stephen Penfold, Mr. G.I. Swoffer, Councillor G. Boyd, Colonel G.P. Owen, Councillor A. Stace, Alderman A.E. Pepper, the Rev. H. Epworth Thompson, Mr. J.H. Blamey, Councillor W.H. Boughton, Councillor W. Hollands, Miss A.M. Hunt, and Councillor Miss E.I. Weston.

The licence of the Packet Boat Inn, Radnor Street, was transferred to Mr. J. Twigg.

The date of the Adjourned Licensing Sessions was fixed for Wednesday, March 9^th.

Folkestone Herald 11-12-1926

Local News

At the Folkestone Police Court yesterday, the licence of the East Cliff Tavern was transferred to Mr. Twigg, now licensee of the Packet Boat Inn, Radnor Street.

Note: Date is at variance with More Bastions in both cases.

 

Folkestone Express 18-12-1926

Local News

At the Police Court on Friday the licence of the East Cliff Tavern was transferred to Mr. Twigg, licensee of the Packet Boat in Radnor Street, of which he has held the licence for six years.

The Clerk said steps were being taken immediately to find a tenant of the Packet Boat.

Note: Date is at variance with More Bastions in both cases.

 

Folkestone Herald 29-1-1927

Local News

At the Folkestone Petty Sessions on Tuesday, before The Mayor in the chair, a protection certificate was granted to Mr. E.W. Allen, late of Dover, in respect of the Packet Boat public house.

Folkestone Express 2-7-1927

Local News

Tuesday, June 28^th:  Before Alderman C. E. Mumford, Miss A. M. Hunt and Dr. W. W. Nuttall.

George Slenderman Weatherhead was sum­moned for having, on the 10th June, stolen two notes of the Bank of England, of the value of £5 each, the property of Frederick John Wilkinson.

Frederick John Wilkinson, The Avenue, Littlestone-on-Sea, fruiterer and greengrocer, said on the 10^th June he came to Folkestone for produce, to the early morning market, arriving about 6.30 to 7 a.m. At the time he had two Bank of England £5 notes, three £1 Treasury notes, and a cheque for £5. He had the money in an envelope. About ten minutes after he arrived at the market he took the envelope from his breast pocket, when he was standing near Mr. Bean`s lorry, to take a £1 note to give to the defendant to pay for some peas. Defendant was on the spot, and had previously helped him to load his lorry. He returned the envelope to his pocket. Weatherhead returned him the change of 8s. He completed his business, jumped on Mr. Bean`s lorry to pay him for his purchases, and again withdrew the envelope from his pocket and took the contents, and found only two £1 Treasury notes and the cheque. The two £5 notes were not there. He told Mr. Bean he had lost the notes, and Weatherhead was in the immediate vicinity of the lorry, about ten or twelve yards away. When he found he had lost the notes he told Bean he had lost them, and it would be audible to anyone standing round. They both made a search, but could not find them. He said nothing to defendant about his loss. On returning home he found he had not left the notes there, and he gave information to the police.

Defendant: Why didn’t he tell me that he had lost the notes?

Mr. Wilkinson: Because I was not sure that I had lost them then.

Defendant: I wouldn’t rob any man.

William John McEwitt, barman at the Jubilee public house, said defendant went into the bar, and tendered him a £5 note for drinks. He called for a round of drinks for customers in the bar, which came to 1s. 10d. Defendant offered him a £5 note, and he asked him if it was his. Defendant said “Mine? Of course it is”. He asked defendant if he had been in crossword puzzles. “Crossword puzzles? If you don`t think it is a good `un, take it to the boss”, which he did. He handed the £5 note to his employer, who gave him the change.

Mr. W.C.T. Tingey, landlord of the Jubilee public house, said that on the 10^th June defendant gave him a £5 note to change. Ultimately he gave his barman the change for the note. Later the same day he saw defendant in the bar, in the evening, and he received case from defendant several times. Defendant tendered him a second £5 note about 10.25 p.m. Defendant had been standing drinks to other people. The drinks amounted to 1s. 6d. when defendant gave him the second note. He did not give defendant the change that night, and he told him to call the following day. He did so, and he paid him the money. The first note he changed with Mr. Skinner, and the second he paid away to the Licensed Victuallers` Mineral Water Co. He had known defendant for three years, and he knew he had been an old sailor. He did not know what defendant was now. He was not surprised at defendant being in possession of two notes. He did not ask defendant for an explanation as to where he got the notes.

P.C. Williams said he received information about the loss of the two £5 notes, and made certain inquiries, and as a result of his inquiries he interviewed defendant on the 22^nd June on the East Cliff. He told him he was a police officer, and that he was making inquiries regarding two £5 Bank of England notes which had been lost, and had ascertained that he had changed two such notes. He told defendant he should report the matter, and that it was possible proceedings might be taken against him. He cautioned him, and he said “I don`t wish to say anything”. On the 25^th, at 6.30 p.m., he served the defendant with a copy of the summons, and he told defendant he was charged with stealing the notes by finding them. He asked defendant if he understood it, and he replied “Yes”. He then cautioned defendant, and he replied “Finding is not stealing; I found the notes”

Ernest William Ellen, landlord of the Packet Boat, said defendant went to his bar on the 10^th June about 12.30. He called for three pints of beer, and tendered a £5 note in payment. He told defendant he was sorry he had no change, as he had not been to the bank, and defendant said “It is quite in order; my sister sent it to me." He had a reason for saying he could not change it, but he could have changed it. He knew defendant was a casual worker in the Fish Market. He still declined to change it, and he left owing for the beer. Defendant said he would be back later, and four days later he called and paid for the beer.

Defendant: I am guilty of finding but not of stealing. I wouldn’t rob a man of a penny. I have got nothing to say.

The Clerk: You mean you picked them up and spent them?

Defendant: Yes, just the same as I have said it.   

The Clerk: The law says it is stealing.

Defendant: I cannot make that out.

Inspector Pittock said defendant was a local man. He had no regular employment, and did odd jobs in the market. There were twelve convictions against him, chiefly for drunkenness, the last one in 1914.

Defendant: If you like to give me a chance I will turn over a fresh leaf, and won’t come up any more.

The Chairman said the magistrates had very carefully considered the case, and they might have sent defendant for six months. On account of his evident attempt to go straight in recent years, he was an old sailor, who served in the Royal Navy, and because they thought he was trying to act better as a citizen, they were only going to send him to prison for one month. They hoped it would be a lesson to him. They found de­fendant was undoubtedly guilty by finding, but finding things was stealing them, just as much the same as if they robbed in the ordinary way of stealing. It was no excuse for defendant or anyone else that because they found something they might presume it was theirs. Their duty was to          take it to the Police Station or the nearest authority they could hand it over to. With regard to the evidence to which they had listened they had first the evidence of the barman. Now the barman at the Jubilee seemed to have risen to the full height of his responsibilities as a servant, and when the note was offered to him he very properly refused to take it, in view of the fact he knew from whom he was taking it. With regard to the real licensee of the place, the licensee, strange to say, did not rise to the full height of his responsibilities. There was the second time in his own house that a £5 note was changed. The barman seemed to have acted with great discretion, and the Magistrates regretted the fact that the man who held the licence did not act in the same way,

and the more so because it was the second time during the day that that change of a £5 note was made. The Magis­trates wished to say they granted licences to men to hold the responsibilities and the licensee was in a responsible position towards the public and the police, and the magistrates expected every help and judgment to be used in dealing with a case such as this. The Magistrates were very pleased to think that Mr. Ellen, at any rate, recognised the responsible position in which he was placed. They were glad to express the opinion that he acted very properly in this matter, and they hoped the police and Magistrates would have every help from those who held licences, and held the position they did.

Folkestone Herald 2-7-1927

Local News

George Slenderman Weatherhead was sentenced to one month`s imprisonment at the Folkestone Police Court on Tuesday, on a charge of stealing by finding two £5 Bank of England notes.

Fredk. John Wilkinson, of Littlestone-on-Sea, a fruiterer and greengrocer, said that on Friday, June 10^th, he came to Folkestone for produce at the early morning market. He arrived about seven o`clock. He had two £5 Bank of England notes, three £1 Treasury notes, and a £5 cheque. He carried the money in an envelope. He had occasion to take the envelope out about ten minutes after he arrived at the market. At the time he took the envelope from his pocket he was standing by Mr. Bean`s lorry. He gave a £1 note to defendant to pay for some peas. Defendant usually helped him to load his lorry. He handed the £1 note to defendant and returned the envelope to his pocket. Weatherhead returned 8s. change. He completed his business with Mr. Bean and jumped on Mr. Bean`s lorry to pay for his purchases. He again withdrew the envelope from his pocket; he took the contents out and found that they only consisted of the two Treasury notes and the £5 cheque. The two Bank of England notes were not there. He immediately commented upon having lost them to Mr. Bean. Weatherhead was employed in his work in the immediate vicinity at the time. Mr. Bean`s lorry was ten or twelve yards from his own lorry and defendant was going between the two lorries. He told Mr. Bean that he had lost the two notes; His remarks would be audible to anyone standing around. They both made a search but could not find the notes. He said nothing directly to Weatherhead about his loss. On returning home he found that he had not left the notes there and then he gave information to the police.

Defendant: Why didn`t he tell me he had lost the notes?

Witness: You will see by my evidence that I was not sure I had lost them.

Defendant: I would not rob any man.

William John McEwitt stated that he was employed as a barman at the Jubilee public house. On Friday, June 10^th, prisoner came in and called for a round of drinks, which came to 1s. 10d. Defendant offered him a £5 note, and he asked him if it was his. Defendant said “Mine? Of course it is”. He asked defendant if he had been in for crossword puzzles, and he said “Crossword puzzles be ----; if you don`t think it`s a good one take it to the boss”. He handed the note to his employer, who gave him the change.

William George Tingey, the landlord of the Jubilee Inn, said that on Friday, June 10^th, the last witness brought him a £5 Bank of England note for him to change. Ultimately he gave him the change for the note. He saw defendant in the evening in the bar; Weatherhead was there up to closing time. Defendant tendered him a second £5 Bank of England note for drinks.

The Clerk: Had he been standing drinks to other people or not?

Witness: Yes.

Mr. Tingey added that the drinks amounted to 1s. 6d. He told defendant to come for the change the following day. Defendant came the following day and he gave him the change. The first note he received he changed with Mr. Skinner. The second note he paid away to the Licensed Victuallers` Mineral Water Company. Witness further stated that he was not surprised at defendant tendering the notes.

The Magistrates` Clerk (Mr. J. Andrew): Did you ask him any questions as to where he had obtained the notes from?

Witness: No, sir.

P.C. Williams said that he received information of the loss of two Bank of England notes and interviewed defendant at 8.30 on June 22^nd on the East Cliff. He told defendant that he was a police officer and had been making enquiries regarding two £5 Bank of England notes which had been lost, and had ascertained that he had changed two such notes. He told Weatherhead that he would report the matter and that it was possible that proceedings might be taken against him. He cautioned prisoner, who replied “I don`t wish to say anything”. On June 25^th he served defendant with a summons. He told prisoner that he was charged with stealing the notes by finding them. Defendant said that he understood it. He then cautioned Weatherhead, who replied “Finding is not stealing. I did not steal the notes”.

Ernest William Ellen, landlord of the Packet Boat, said on June 10^th, at about 12.30, defendant ordered three pints of beer and tendered a £5 note. He said “I am sorry; I have no change until I have been to the bank”. He had a reason for saying that; he could have changed the note. He knew defendant to be a casual worker at the Fish Market. Defendant said “It is quite all right; my sister sent it to me”. He still declined to change the note and defendant left owing for the beer. Four days later defendant called and paid him for the beer.

Defendant pleaded “Guilty by finding, but not by stealing”. He added that he had nothing to say.

The Magistrates` Clerk: You mean you picked them up and spent them?

Defendant: Yes.

The Magistrates` Clerk: The law says that is stealing.

Defendant: I cannot make it out.

Inspector Pittock stated that defendant was a local man, and at present he had no fixed abode. There were ten previous convictions, chiefly fort drunkenness, the last one being in 1914. Defendant was bound over in 1911 for six months for false pretences.

Defendant: If you will give me a chance I will turn over a fresh leaf and will not come up any more.

The Chairman of the Bench (Alderman C. Ed. Mumford) said on account of defendant`s evident attempt to go straight in recent years, and because he was an old sailor who had served in the Royal Navy, and because they believed that he was trying to act better as a citizen, they were only going to send him for one month`s imprisonment; they might have sent him for a much longer period. They hoped that that would be a lesson to defendant. People who found things and kept them were stealing just the same as if they robbed in what was called the ordinary way of stealing.

With regard to the evidence to which they had listened, the barman of the Jubilee seemed to rise to the full height of his responsibility as a servant of his employer. When a note was offered to him the barman very properly refused to take it and to give change, in view of the fact that he knew from whom he was taking it. The lessee, strange to say, did not rise to the full height of his responsibility, and it was the second time in his own house that day that a £5 note was changed.

Calling Mr. Tingey before the Magistrates, the Chairman said: “Your barman seems to have acted with great discretion and the Magistrates regret that you, who hold a licence, did not act in the same way, and more so because it was the second time during the day that change was made of a £5 note. The Magistrates wish to say this: We grant licences to men to hold responsible positions; the lessee of a public house or hotel is in a very responsible position towards the Bench, and towards the public and the police, and the Magistrates expect that help and judgement shall be used in dealing with such cases as this”.

Alderman Mumford then addressed Mr. Ellen. The Magistrates, he said, were very pleased to think that he, at any rate, recognised the responsible position in which he was placed. They were glad to express the opinion that he acted very properly in the matter. They hoped that in the future the police and the Magistrates would have every help from those who held licences.

Folkestone Express 3-9-1927

Tuesday, before Col. Owen and other Magistrates.

L. Cpl. Robert Penman, of the South Staffordshire Regiment was summoned for assaulting Leonard Cecil Laws, and he pleaded not guilty.

Leonard Cecil Laws, a barman at the Victoria Pier, said that on Sunday even­ing, a fortnight ago, he went to the public bar of the Packet Boat Inn with some other men. They were all sober. He entered the taproom, and remained there until eight minutes to ten, when “Time” was called, and he went out. He did not see defendant there. There was no disturbance in the house while he was there. He was walking out of the door, and as he brought his face into full view of the street he was hit. He did not know where it came from, or who hit him. He only felt one blow. The blow knocked him down, and he became unconscious. He could not say he saw the defendant there. He was taken to the hospital, attended by the House surgeon, and then taken home. Since then he had been attending daily. His jaw was broken as a result of the blow.

Cross-examined by defendant: He did not hear the “King” played; he was outside. There were some soldiers there in civilian clothes. He was sober. He never had a drink in the house. He did not see the defendant at all.

Alexander John Dodd, lnvicta Road, butcher, said that on the 11th August he entered the Packet Boat Inn in company with three other men. They were all together in a room at the back, where there was music. He saw the defendant there. He heard no conversation, but there was some singing. He heard the landlord call “Time”, and he walked out. When he got out a civilian rushed at him and struck him three times. Two soldiers parted them. The defendant struck him in the mouth, and his pal stopped them and said “Keep out of this”. While he was speaking to his pal he saw the defendant rush at Laws. The next he saw was Laws lying on the ground. He was unconscious. There was no-one near Laws at the time he fell. Defendant never said anything, but walked away, and then returned.

Cross-examined by defendant: He did not hear the “King” played. There were three soldiers together, and defendant was in civilian clothes.

By the Clerk: Defendant apologised to him for striking him., and that was before Laws came out. He did not know what caused all the trouble.

Ernest Ellen, the landlord of the Packet Boat, said that at ten minutes to ten the “King” was played. He saw Laws and the previous witness in the back room, and they were there at ten minutes to ten. Nothing took place inside. Laws wanted his friend to play, and said there was plenty of time. He said to Laws “Who`s the governor here, you or me?” Laws said he did not know who the governor was, and he (witness) replied “What am I, then?” He thought it was too late to play the piano. He saw defendant there in civilian clothes.

George Featherbe, Invicta Road, a driver`s mate, said he was in the Packet Boat with Laws and Dodd. He was at the oher side of the room, and when “Time” was called he went outside, and Laws was then lying on the step. He did not see the Corporal.

The Clerk: You don`t know much about it, do you? (Laughter)

Defendant, giving evidence on oath, said he was in the Packet Boat about 9.45 p.m. on the Sunday, and he and he had a drink. After the sing-song the pianist played “God Save the King”. They all stood up, but Laws was bend­ing down, and he asked him if he would mind getting up. Laws made use of two vile expressions. When they went out Laws rushed down the steps, and went for him with his fists up. Laws missed him, and he hit Laws twice. He then walked away. Laws was lying down with a crowd round him. He asked his friend to see him, and he said he was all right. He came out before Laws. Laws wanted to fight him inside, and said “What`s the matter with you?” He had a few words with Laws, and waited outside to have a few words with him. The other man came down, and two soldiers hit him. He did not hit the other man, but stopped them.

Laws said that he came out with his two hands in his pockets, and that was the way he dropped.

Cpl. Hauswell, the South Staffordshire Regiment, said that at the close of the sing-song, everyone stood up for the “King”, except Laws. He asked him if he would stand up, and he made use of disparaging remarks. Someone said “Get outside”. They went outside, and when Laws came out he went straight across to meet defendant, who hit him.

Laws said he had his hands in his overcoat pockets.

Cpl. Price, South Staffordshire Regiment, said defendant stepped aside when Laws flew towards him, and defendant hit him twice, a left and a right.

Laws said he had never seen defendant before in his life.

L. Cpl. James Marshall, of the South Staffordshire Regiment, said defendant hit Laws in self defence.

The Chairman said the Magistrates had carefully considered the case, and they had decided to dismiss it.

Folkestone Herald 3-9-1927

Tuesday, August 30^th: Before Colonel G.P. Owen and other Magistrates.

Corporal Robert Penman, of the South Staffordshire Regt., Shorncliffe, was summoned by Leonard Cecil Laws for assault on August 14^th.

Defendant first pleaded Guilty, but shortly afterwards entered a plea of Not Guilty.

Complainant, who appeared in the witness box with a bandaged jaw, said that on Sunday, August 14^th, he went into the Packet Boat Inn with several others. He entered a back room and remained there until eight minutes to ten, and when “time” was called he went out. There was no disturbance in the room while he was there, and he left the house alone, his friends coming behind him. As he got to the door and brought his face into the view of the street, he was struck on the left side of the jaw. He did not know where the blow came from, nor who hit him. He was knocked down and rendered unconscious. He could not say that he had seen defendant there. He was taken to the hospital, and since then had received attention for a broken jaw, which was the result of the blow.

Cross-examined: He was not drunk and he did not have a drink in the house.

Alexander John Dodd said he entered the Packet Boat Inn at about twenty minutes to ten, accompanied by Laws, and men named Featherbee and Hart. They were in a room at the back of the “pub” and he saw defendant there. He had no conversation but there was “a trifle singing”. He walked out alone when the landlord called “time” and left Laws in the room. When he walked out of the house a civilian rushed at him and struck him three times. After that, two soldiers closed round them and separated them. Witness was on the pavement. Defendant struck him in the mouth and then after he had struck him, his (defendant`s) pal stopped them and told witness to keep out of it. While witness was speaking, defendant made a rush and the next thing he saw was Laws lying on the ground. Laws had been stepping out of the doorway. He was unconscious. Defendant did not say anything and walked away, but returned. He was in civilian clothes and when he struck witness he came to him and apologised. Defendant was sober.

Ernest Ellen, landlord of the Packet Boat, said he saw Laws in the house and the others. They were in the back room. Nothing took place inside. He believed that the National Anthem was being played. Laws had a friend who wanted to play the piano, but witness thought that it was too late. Defendant was there in civilian dress.

George Featherbee said he went into the Packet Boat Inn with Laws, Dodd, and Hart. When “time” was called he went out and when he was getting off the step he saw Laws lying at the bottom of it. He did not see defendant.

Defendant said he went to the Packet Boat between 9.30 and 10 o`clock. He had a drink, and after a sing-song the pianist played “God Save The King”. They stood up, but Laws was bending down, so defendant said “Look here, old chap. Stand up”. Laws replied “---- the King”. Defendant went outside, and Laws “came” for him. He came to hit defendant but missed, and defendant hit him twice. Defendant then walked away. He saw Laws on the ground with a crowd round him. Defendant got a friend to see Laws and was told that he was quite all right. Defendant went out of the Packet Boat as Laws wanted to fight him inside.

Corpl. R. Hauswell said that at the close of the sing-song the pianist played “The King”. Everyone stood up, except complainant. Penman asked him if he would stand up, but he made a “disparaging” reply. Someone then said “Get outside”. Witness went out, and complainant went across to meet Penman, who hit him.

Corpl. James Price said that at about two minutes to ten the National Anthem was played and everyone stood up except complainant. Defendant turned round and said “Stand up, old chap, they are playing “The King””. Complainant made a very bad remark about the King and also one that concerned defendant. Someone said “If they want to “argue the toss”, let them get outside”. Complainant went down the steps and made some remark, and “flew” towards defendant. Defendant stepped on one side and knocked complainant down. He hit him twice.

L/Corpl. James Marshall also gave evidence.

The Bench decided to dismiss the case.

Folkestone Express 14-1-1928

Tuesday, January 10^th: Before Mr. G.I. Swoffer, Alderman C.E. Mumford, Col. P. Broome-Giles, and Dr. W.W. Nuttall.

Pte. David Black and Pte. Charles Jameson Webb, of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, Shorncliffe, were summoned for wilfully damaging a window at the Packet Boat Inn, and both pleaded Not Guilty.

Ernest William Ellen, licensee of the Packet Boat Inn, Radnor Street, said that between 9.30 and 9.40 p.m. on the 31^st December, the defendants went into the bar. They called for two drinks, and he noticed they were the worse for drink. He refused to supply them, and asked them to leave the premises. He took hold of one of them by the arm, and escorted him to the door, as he refused to leave. He went, as he thought, along Radnor Street to Tontine Street, and he (witness) immediately went to the bar and took the other one out. He closed the door, and heard a crash. He turned round and saw a soldier near the window, and he saw Black hurrying along Radnor Street. Both soldiers were in uniform. It was impossible for him to go after them, as his bar was filled with customers. He reported the matter to the police after he had closed. He had an estimate for repairing the damage from Messrs. Dunk, and the amount was £5. He proceeded with Det. Constable Budgen to Shorncliffe Camp, and men were paraded, and he identified Black as the man who broke the window. He also identified Webb as the man who was with Black in his house. He had no doubt that defendants were the men who were in his house.

By the Clerk: He could not see Black`s face, but he could identify him by his clothes.

Det. Constable Budgen said in consequence of inquiries made, he proceeded to Shorncliffe at 11 a.m. on January 2^nd, and fifty six rank and file were paraded by the Officer Commanding for the purpose of an identification parade. Mr. Ellen went down the ranks, and without hesitation picked out the two defendants. They were called from the ranks, and he interviewed both of them, and told them he would charge them with wilfully damaging the window. They made no reply.

Mr. Ellen (Re-called) said that from the time Black went out, the breaking of the window followed almost immediately – less than half a minute after. Webb had been gone some few minutes. There were other soldiers of the same regiment in his house. He could not say whether any other soldiers had left at the same time – they might have done.

Black said that on the 31^st December he was out of the Packet Boat at 9.20 p.m., and Webb left him there about nine o`clock. When he went out he went to the Harbour and caught a bus at 9.30. He met Lce. Cpl. Ford of the South Staffordshire Regiment, and he was in the Victoria Hotel at Cheriton at 9.45. He left the Camp with Webb, and was in his company that night. He saw Webb at 10.30 when he went to barracks. He did not know anything about the window. He was not the worse for drink, and he remembered the landlord asking him to leave. He told the landlord he did not want any drink, but wanted to see his mates in the back room. He first heard a window had been broken two days later. He did not say anything to the Detective Constable, because he thought it would be best to reserve his evidence for the Court.

Webb said he went into Folkestone with Black, and they entered the Packet Boat together. It must have been shortly after nine o`clock when he left. They were refused drink. They had had drink, but they were nothing like being the worse for it. He left the Packet Boat when he was asked to go, and caught a bus at the Harbour. He last saw Black when he went out of the Packet Boat, and he was then talking to the landlord. He got to barracks about 9.40. He knew nothing about breaking the window. When he was charged he did not think there was any need to speak about it.

Lce. Cpl. Ford, South Staffordshire Regiment, Shorncliffe, said that on the 31^st December, at 9.30 p.m., he went to the Harbour to catch a bus, and met Black and took him to the Camp. When they got to the Victoria Hotel he asked Black to have a drink, and they went and had a drink. It was 9.45 by the clock in the bar. He had left his wife`s house in North Street at 9.25. He did not know Black. He looked as if he had had a drink, but he was quite respectable, and was not kicking up a row.

A Corporal of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders said he was orderly sergeant during the week, and on the 31^st December called the roll at 9.30. Webb and Black were entitled to be out on permanent pass. He was going to the guard room about 9.40, and met Pte. Webb. He was then sober and properly dressed, and Webb told him to take his name off the late pass roll. Private Black reported at 10.20.

The Magistrates retired, and said the case against Webb would be dismissed. They had very grave doubts about Black, but he was going to have the benefit of the doubt, and he would be dismissed. The landlord of the Packet Boat had done quite right in bringing these men forward. Licence holders deserved every protection from the police and public. They had a very hard duty to perform in their houses, and they complimented the landlord for not serving the men.

Folkestone Herald 14-1-1928

Local News

Two members of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Regt., stationed at Shorncliffe, Privates Charles Jameson Webb and David Black, were summoned at the Folkestone Police Court on Tuesday for alleged wilful damage by smashing a window at the Packet Boat Inn, Folkestone.

The case against Webb was dismissed, but in the case of Black the Chairman of the Bench said “We have very grave doubts about you. You will be dismissed, but the landlord of the Packet Boat has done quite right in bringing the case forward”. Licensees had a very hard duty to perform in their houses, he said, and the Bench complimented them in bringing such cases as these before the Court. In this case the evidence against the men was not quite clear, and they must be dismissed.

Ernest William Allen, licensee of the Packet Boat Inn, said between 9.30 and 9.40 p.m. on December 31^st the men entered the public bar of his premises and called for drinks. From the position in which witness was standing behind the bar he could see that they were the worse for drink and he thereupon refused to serve them. He asked them to leave the premises. He took the nearer one (Webb) by the arm, led him to the door and outside into Radnor Street. After putting the other man out, witness was closing the door, when he suddenly heard a crash. Turning round, he saw a soldier`s cane at the window, which was cracked. Witness immediately went out and saw a soldier, whome he thought was Black, hurrying away. Witness estimated the cost of the replacement at £3.

By the Clerk: He could not see the defendant`s face when he looked out. He could identify him by his clothes.

Detective Constable Butcher said at Shorncliffe Camp, at 11 a.m. on January 2^nd, fifty men were paraded for identification. The last witness picked out the two prisoners without any hesitation.

Re-called by the Clerk, the witness Allen said there were other soldiers of the same regiment in the house that night, but none in the front bar; they were in the back room.

Black, in the witness box, said Webb left the Packet Boat at 9 p.m., and witness left later. He saw a friend, Lance Corporal Ford of the Staffordshire Regt., and they caught a bus at the Harbour. He was with Lance Corporal Ford at 9.45 p.m. When witness next saw Webb it was at the barracks at 10.20. He was not drunk and did not know anything about the window being broken until he was called up on parade.

Private Webb said he went into the Packet Boat with his friend on the night in question, and left the place shortly after 9. He knew nothing about the breaking of the window.

Lance Corporal Harry Ford, of the South Staffs. Regt., said he met Black at the Harbour on the night in question, and they caught a bus and were in Cheriton at 9.45. Black might have had a drink, but he was quite respectable and was not kicking up a row at all.

A guard room orderly at the Camp said he met Private Webb there at 9.40. He was sober and properly dressed in uniform. Private Black reported at 10.20.