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| Mitre c.1950. Credit Peter & Anne Bamford |
Licensees
George Lepper 1881 c1891
Godfrey Lepper c1891 ???? (1891 Census)
Thomas Allen 1897 1910
John Russell 1910 1918
Annie Russell 1918 1940
J.R. Scrivens 1940 1940Closed 1940. Licence suspended 1943-45
J.R. Scrivens 1940 1940Closed 1940. Licence suspended 1943-45
Violet Crabtree 1945 1952
Clarence Thorn 1952 1955
George Palfrey 1955 1957
Cedric Ingram 1957 1958
Ernest Walter Thunder 1958 1958
Ernest Walter Thunder 1958 1958
Frederick Hanks 1958 1961
Amy Hanks 1961 1965
George Picknell 1965 1969
Folkestone Express 27-8-1881
Wednesday,
August 24th: Before The Mayor, Alderman Caister, W. Bateman, A.m.
Watkin, J. Boykett and J. Clark Esqs.
Annual
Licensing Day
The
application by George Lepper for a license to sell off in a house situate in
Queen Street was adjourned till the 28th of September.
Folkestone Express 3-9-1881
Notice
To the
Overseers of the Poor of the Township of Folkestone, in the Borough of
Folkestone, and to the Superintendent of Police for the said Borough
I, George
Lepper, carpenter, now residing at No. 9, Queen Street, in the Township of
Folkestone, in the Borough of Folkestone, hereby give you notice that it is my
intention to apply at the adjournment of the General Annual Licensing Meeting
for the Borough of Folkestone, to be holden at the Town Hall in the said
Borough, on the Twenty eighth day of September next ensuing, for a Certificate
of Justices for the grant of a license to sell by retail Beer, in pursuance of
the Wine and Beerhouse Act, 1869, and the Wine and Beerhouse Act Amendment Act,
1870, to be drunk or consumed off the house and premises thereunto belonging,
situate at No. 9, Queen Street, of which said premises Godfrey Lepper, of
Fenchurch Street, in the Borough of Folkestone, is the owner.
Given under
my hand this Twenty fourth day of August, One Thousand Eight Hundred and Eighty
One.
GEORGE LEPPER
Folkestone Chronicle 1-10-1881
Saturday,
September 24th: Before The Mayor, Gen. Cannon, Capt. Carter, Ald.
Caister, J. Clark, W. Jeffreason, J. Holden, and F. Boykett Esqs.
LICENSES
An off license was granted
to George Lepper, of Queen Street.
Folkestone Express 1-10-1881
Licensing
An off
license was granted to George Lepper, of Queen Street.
Folkestone Chronicle 23-4-1892
Local News
At the
Folkestone Police Court on the 14th inst., before The Mayor,
Aldermen Dunk, Pledge and Sherwood, Councillor Spurgen, and Messrs. Herbert and
Fitness, John Godfrey Lepper, bandmaster of Lepper`s Band, was placed in the
dock on a charge of having on the 21st February, 1892, criminally
assaulted his daughter, Florence Agnes Gertrude Lepper, aged 16.
The
prosecutrix seemed greatly affected, and it was with great difficulty that she
gave her evidence. She stated, in response to the Magistrates` Clerk`s
enquiries, that she was 16 on the 9th of September last, and that
the prisoner was her father. He lodged at 39, Walton Road, and she lived with
him. They occupied two bedrooms upstairs – one they had their meals in, and in
that room her father and Miss Archer slept. They said they were married, but
witness did not know if that were true. In the other room, her brother, sister,
and herself slept. Her sister was 14 years of age, and her brother 15 years of
age. On the day in question witness`s brother went out about seven in the
morning, and was absent until four o`clock in the afternoon. Miss Archer went
out between 11 and 12, and witness and her sister were left alone with their
father. The prisoner arose at about 11.30, and sent her sister to fetch some
beer from her grandmother`s in Queen Street. After she had gone out, prisoner
locked the door and committed the assault. After the assault, prisoner told her
to go into the next room. She did so. He assaulted her again in a similar
manner. Her sister came back about half past one with the beer. She did not
complain to anyone that day because she was afraid to do so, but she left home
a fortnight afterwards and went to Mrs. Hetherington, a lady who was staying in
Castle Hill Avenue. This was because Miss Archer struck her, and her father
threatened to be “the death of her” if she said anything of what went on in the
house. She had an aunt living at Horn Street, near Hythe, named Hayward, and
she subsequently went to her instead of returning home again. She had not been
in her home since. About a fortnight ago she told her aunt what had happened.
In answer to
the prisoner, witness said she did not make a statement to anyone before,
because he told her not to do so.
Dr. Yunge
Bateman said he examined the prosecutrix on the 11th inst. He found
that an assault had been committed.
Eliza Jane
Hayward stated that she was the wife of Richard Hayward, a brewer, living at
Horn Street. Her sister was the prisoner`s wife, and she separated from her
husband ten year ago last December. They reunited twice after that, but
separated again. Her niece came to her on the 6th March, at 11
o`clock at night. She took her in, and had allowed her to live with her since.
Last Wednesday week prosecutrix made a statement to her concerning the
prisoner, and in consequence of that she took her to Dr. Bateman to be
examined.
P.S. Lilley
deposed that he apprehended the prisoner at three o`clock on Wednesday
afternoon at one of the coastguard buildings, near the seashore, about three
miles from Lydd. He was working there. Witness said “I have a warrant for your
arrest, Lepper”. Prisoner asked “What for?” “For a rape on your daughter,
Florence” witness replied. Lepper said “Good Lord, never”. He seemed very much
agitated and sat down on a trussel. Witness read the warrant over to him. He
said “When was the 21st of February?”, and witness replied “This
year; I can`t tell you what day of the week it was”. He brought him to the
Folkestone Police Station, where he was charged by Sergeant Butcher in his
presence, but made no reply.
The prisoner
said he was entirely innocent of the charge.
The Bench
remanded him until Wednesday morning.
At the Police
Court on Wednesday morning, before The Mayor, Aldermen Sherwood, Dunk and
Pledge, and J. Holden, Geo. Spurgen, J.
Fitness, and W. Wightwick Esqs., the prisoner was again placed in the dock.
Mr. G.W.
Haines stated that he appeared on behalf of Mr. Minter, who had been instructed
to prosecute in this case, and he asked the Bench to grant a further remand
until Thursday. The charge was of a very serious character, and the enquiries
which were being made would be complete that day. There would be another charge
brought against the prisoner in respect of his younger daughter, aged 14 years.
Mr. W.H.
Watts, who appeared for the prisoner, consented to the adjournment, and the
Chairman accordingly remanded the prisoner until Thursday, at 11 o`clock.
On Thursday
morning the prisoner was again placed in the dock, and the case was continued,
before The Mayor, Aldermen Pledge and Dunk, Councillor Spurgen and J. Fitness
Esq.
Mr. Minter
prosecuted, and stated that he should produce evidence to show that this state
of things had been going on for some considerable period – ever since the girl
was six years of age. Although Mr. Watts, who was appearing for the prisoner,
might argue that the girl was over the age of 16, it would not apply in this
case.
Mr. H.W.
Watts said he strongly objected to any evidence being admitted which did not
refer to the present charge. As to the present charge, he submitted that on the
evidence of the prosecution alone the case must fail, as she was over the age
of 16, and did not come under the Criminal Law Amendment Act.
Mr. Minter
said he was not proceeding under that Act.
Mr. Bradley
said he did not feel disposed to advise the Bench not to admit the evidence. If
it turned out to be wrong, when the case went to the Assizes it would be
rejected.
The girl
Florence was then called, and in answer to Mr. Minter, said she left the
service of Mrs. Waller on the 21st of February, and went home at
Young`s Road. On the following week they left Young`s Road and went to Walton
Road. On the 28th of February, at Walton Road, he again assaulted
her in his bedroom. The landlady (Mrs. Willis) and her two children were in the
house at the time. Witness said on the last occasion that it took place on the
21st of February last. She had made a mistake. It was on the 28th.
When witness was six years old she lived with her father at the George The
Third Inn, in Little Fenchurch Street. There was a baby in the house, six
months old, and her father used to sleep with her younger sister. Three or four
times he criminally assaulted witness at that age. The baby died when it was
ten months old, and he ceased to interfere with her until she was nine years
old, when he went to her in her bedroom one Sunday afternoon after the house
was closed, and assaulted her. She cried very much. Just before her tenth
birthday she went to a home in London, where she stayed two years, and came
home on the 15th of November. Her father was then renting two
bedrooms at Garden Road. The same night as she came home he assaulted her, and
again a few days afterwards. They moved from Garden Road to Ship Street, where
they lived some three months, and then moved to 124, Dover Road. They remained
there a few months and then lived at St. John`s Street. From there they moved
into Dover Street, and thence to Young`s Road and Walton Road. He assaulted her
in Dover Street and St. John`s Street several times.
Mr. Minter
said there was another charge against the prisoner of having debauched another
daughter. It really seemed to horrible to mention, when they saw that the girl
was only 13 years of age on the 1st of last July.
Annie
Elizabeth Lepper was then called. From her appearance she looked about nine
years of age, but she stated that she was 13 last July. She had always lived at
home with her father. Sometimes he had been away from Folkestone at work, and
then she lived with her grandmother at 9, Queen Street. In February of this
year she was living with her father at 4, Young`s Road, and remembered her
sister Florence coming home from service from Mrs. Waller`s on the Monday. On
the previous Wednesday her father was out of work, and she did not go to
school, as she was not very well. Miss Archer was living in the house. She was
supposed to be her father`s wife. On the Wednesday morning, whilst witness was making
the beds, her father came into the room, and afterwards committed the criminal
assault complained of. He told her not to tell anybody or she would get locked
up and himself as well. When her sister Florrie came home on the Monday she
told her what had occurred.
Dr. Yunge
Bateman was called, and gave medical evidence, certifying that a criminal
assault had been committed.
Mrs. Hayward
was again called, and said that in consequence of a statement made by her she
got possession of her other niece, Annie Elizabeth, who had just been called.
She was born on the 1st of July, 1878. Witness took her to Dr.
Bateman for examination.
The prisoner
reserved his defence, and was committed for trial on both charges at the next
Assizes for Kent.
Mr. Minter
said he was pleased to say that Mrs. Hayward had succeeded in getting both
girls into a home where they would be well cared for.
The Bench
granted bail in sureties of £50 by two substantial house holders, and the
prisoner in £100 in each case.
The prisoner
was removed below, and was hissed as he left the court.
Folkestone Express 23-4-1892
Local News
At the
Folkestone Police Court on Thursday, John Godfrey Lepper, a carpenter, and who
for some time past has been the leader of a small street band, was charged with
assaulting his daughter, Florence Agnes Gertrude, aged 16 years. Evidence was
given by the girl, Dr. Yunge Bateman, and Eliza Jane Hayward, the wife of a
groom, residing at Horn Street, and the prisoner was then remanded until
Wednesday, when he was again brought up. Mr. Haines, who appeared for Mr.
Minter, said that gentleman was unable to be present, but enquiries were being
made which would be completed by the next day, and he asked for a further
remand, which was granted. On Thursday eveidence was produced to show that the
prisoner had ill-treated his daughter, Florence, at various times and places
since she was a child six years of age, and a most revolting state of things
was disclosed. At the close of the case in respect of the girl Florence, the prisoner
was further charged with misconduct with another daughter, a little girl named
Annie Elizabeth, aged 13, who looked younger. The particulars were altogether
too bad to be published. The prisoner was, after a very long investigation,
committed for trial at the Assizes on both charges, Mr. H.W. Watts, who
appeared for him, reserving his defence.
Folkestone Herald 23-4-1892
Local News
On Thursday
the man Lepper was charged on remand before The Mayor, Aldermen Pledge and
Dunk, Councillor Spurgen, and Mr. Fitness.
Mr. Minter
appeared for the prosecution, and ably discharged a most painful duty in the
examination of the prisoner`s daughters.
Mr. H. Watts,
who appeared in his defence, dispensed with any cross-examination, and reserved
his defence.
It will
suffice for us to record that he was fully committed for trial on two charges,
but we cannot refrain from expressing surprise that an application for bail was
for a moment entertained. Happily it was fixed in amounts that the fellow is
not likely to be able to find.
Folkestone Chronicle 9-7-1892
Kent Summer
Assizes
At the Kent
Summer Assizes held at Maidstone on Wednesday, John Godfrey Lepper, 35, a
carpenter, was indicted for committing a rape on his own daughter, Florence
Agnes Gertrude Lepper, at Folkestone, on the 28th February last.
Mr. Matthews
appeared to prosecute. Mr. Biron, at the request of His Lordship, defended the
prisoner.
The
prosecutrix, a prepossessing looking girl, aged 16, gave her evidence with
calmness and self-possession. This showed that the prisoner seized, and
although she resisted, effected his purpose.
In answer to
His Lordship, the prosecutrix corrected the latter portion of her evidence, and
said that she was a consenting party to what had taken place.
His Lordship
said that after this admission the charge of rape could not be sustained, and
he directed the jury to find the prisoner Not Guilty.
The prisoner
was then indicted for carnally knowing, against her will, his daughter, Annie
Elizabeth Lepper, age 11, on the 10th February last.
The evidence
of the child left no doubt as to the guilt of the prisoner. She added that the
latter told her to say nothing of what had taken place, or she would be locked
up. The housekeeper, it appeared, was out at the time.
For the defence,
Mr. Biron called the prisoner, who denied that he had at any time acted
improperly to the child. He was not at home on the day when the alleged offence
took place.
Cross-examined
by Mr. Matthews: On the 10th February he was at Lydd working at his
trade. The prisoner then produced a paper certifying the number of hours during
which he worked on the 10th February at Lydd. These amounted to 13.
Charlotte
Archer, the housekeeper to the prisoner, proved that he was not at home on the
10th February, being at work at Lydd.
Chas. Lepper,
aged 16, a son of the prisoner, proved that his father left home at six o`clock
on each day of the week referred to, and did not return till night.
His Lordship
concisely summed up the evidence, and the jury retired to consider their
verdict. After an absence of 20 minutes they returned to Court with a verdict
of Guilty.
The prisoner
was sentenced to two years` imprisonment with hard labour.
Folkestone Express 9-7-1892
Local News
At the
Assizes on Wednesday, John Godfrey Lepper was indicted for criminally
assaulting his two daughters. It will be remembered that the case was of a most
revolting character, but it appears that, had not the prisoner been committed
on the charge of assaulting his younger child, who is of very tender years, he
would have escaped punishment. The Judge ruled that the charge in respect of
the elder girl could not be sustained, as she appeared to consent; the jury
convicted the prisoner of the assault on the younger child, and the prisoner
was sentenced to two years` hard labour.
Folkestone Visitors` List 13-7-1892
En Passant
John Godfrey
Lepper, a bandsman, was on Wednesday last sentenced to two years` hard labour
for criminally assaulting his daughter, a child of tender years. There was another
charge against the prisoner, but the judge ruled that it could not be
sustained, hence a remarkably light sentence for an unusually heinous offence.
Folkestone Chronicle 23-7-1892
Letter
Dear Sir,
In your next
issue will you oblige by amending the report in your paper of July 9th.
It was Charles Lepper who left home for his work at 6 a.m., and did not return
until 9 a.m. John Godfrey Lepper went to work at Lydd, which is nearly 18 miles
from Folkestone, on Monday, February 8th, and did not return until
late on Saturday, February 13th. It was impossible for him to do so,
there not being any conveyance so that he might be at his work at 6 a.m.
Yours
faithfully,
Godfrey
Lepper.
9, Queen
Street,
Folkestone.
July 21st, 1892.
Folkestone Chronicle
30-7-1898
Thursday, July 28th: Before Messrs. J. Banks,
C.J. Pursey, and W.G. Herbert.
Henry Robert Lyons, a musician, was charged with stealing
5s., the property of Mr. Allen, on the 29th inst. (sic).
Prosecutor, the landlord of the Mitre Inn, Queen Street,
said the prisoner had been lodging with him for three months. He missed the
money from a cashbox in the bedroom. On July 19th he marked four 5s.
pieces in the presence of his son and P.C. Ashby, and placed them in the box.
The cash box was not locked,, but it was placed in another box, which was
locked with a padlock. On the 26th inst. he missed one of the 5s.
pieces (that produced). On Wednesday, witness accused the prisoner of robbing
him, which he denied. They went upstairs, and prisoner produced a 5s. piece
(produced), and witness saw the mark. He gave prisoner into the custody of P.C.
Gardner. Witness found the key produced in the bedroom, but prisoner denied
that it was his. It locked and unlocked the padlock.
By the prisoner: P.C. Ashby marked the coins in his
presence. He found the key on the washstand. He did threaten the prisoner, but
he did not say he would break every bone in his body.
Witness produced the other coins marked in the same way as
those already produced.
James Ashby, a police probationer, lodging at the Mitre,
gave evidence as to the marking of the coins.
P.C. Gardner said he received the prisoner into custody.
When charged at the police station he said “All right”.
Prisoner pleaded Guilty, and elected to be dealt with
summarily. He said it was the first time he had done such a thing, and he did
not know what made him do it, as he had money of his own in his box.
He was sentenced to two months` hard labour.
Folkestone Herald
30-7-1898
Police Court Report
On Thursday, Henry Robert Lyons, a musician, was charged
with stealing from a cashbox a crown piece, the monies of Thomas Allen.
Mr. Allen, landlord of the Mitre public house, Queen Street,
deposed that the prisoner lodged with him for about three months. He occupied a
separate bedroom. The cashbox was kept in a larger box in his bedroom. He
recently placed marked silver there. He marked them in the presence of a
constable and his son. There were four crown pieces. Having done this, he put
them in the cashbox. He placed it in the large box, which he locked. The
padlock was produced. He marked the money because he had missed some on more
than one occasion. About half past four on the 26th inst. he
examined the contents, and just before six the same evening, he again went to
the box. One 5s. piece was missing. He identified the one produced, and also
his mark. He had a conversation with the prisoner about it. He said “You have
been robbing me. I have lost a 5s. piece on Tuesday night from the cashbox in
the bedroom”. The prisoner replied “I have not robbed you”. Witness asked him
to show the money he had. He went upstairs, and witness followed him into his
bedroom. His box was unlocked. He saw he had a 5s. piece, and witness asked
that he might see it. He handed it to witness. Witness then said “This is my
property. There is a mark on it”. Witness found a key on the washstand. He
asked whose it was, and the prisoner said it was not his. He had not seen this
key before. He produced the three other marked pieces.
In answer to prisoner, witness said that Ashby marked the
coins. He also admitted threatening prisoner.
The Chairman remarked that first of all he said he marked
them himself, and then, in cross-examination, that he did not.
P.C. James Ashby deposed that he was lodging temporarily at
the Mitre. He remembered the 19th July. He went to the bedroom of
Mr. Allen Senr., and scratched a mark with a blunt pin on each coin. Mr. Allen
placed them in the box.
P.C. Gardner deposed that he was called to the Mitre and the
prisoner was given into his custody by the prosecutor. His words were “I wish
to give this man into custody for stealing a 5s. piece from my bedroom out of a
cash box”. Prisoner made no reply. When charged by P.S. Dawson, prisoner said
“All right”. The prisoner handed to him the 5s. piece in the bedroom.
The Deputy Clerk to the Justices (Mr. Andrews) told Mr.
Allen that he had heard the evidence given by P.C. Gardner. He had said in his
examination-in-chief that the prisoner took the marked crown piece from his
pocket and handed it to him.
Mr. Allen said that then he gave it him back.
The prisoner pleaded Guilty. He said it was the first time
he had done such a thing. He did not know what made him do it.
The Bench sentenced him to two months` hard labour.
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