Unity Inn, Risborough Lane, Cheriton c1856 - 1901

Unity Inn 1890s from a limited edition set of postcards (More Tales From The Tap Room, 2004) Credit Peter and Annie Bamford

Licensees

Robert Bailey c1856 c1872
Charles Bailey c1872 c1880
Mary Harris c1880 c1885
Frances Harris c1885 c1890
Isiah Philpott c1890 c1895
George Philpott c1895 1898
Thomas Lane 1898 1901

Kentish Express 19-5-1860

Hythe Petty Sessions, May 17^th: William Shea and George Holmes were brought up, on remand from the 5^th instant, charged with having, on the 5^th of May, at Risborough Lane, near Shorncliffe Camp, stolen a glass tumbler, of the value of 4d., the pro­perty of Mr. Bailey.

Robert Bailey said: I keep the Unity public-house, at Risborough Lane, in the parish of Cheriton. Both the prisoners have frequented my house. They have been there twice during the last fortnight. I am in the habit of losing a number of glasses and pots at various times. The prisoners were at my house on the morning of the 4^th instant, about eleven o'clock. I did not see them leave. The tumbler now produced is mine. I know it because I marked my name upon it. The value of the tumbler is 4d. I lose sometimes a dozen glasses a week, sometimes more. I don’t know whether this glass was taken from my canteen at the camp, or from my house at Risborough Lane. I did not give or sell the tumbler to either of the prisoners.

Joseph Hodges deposed: I am a sergeant of the K.C.C., Shorncliffe Camp. 1 was on duty on the morning of the 5^th instant. I saw the prisoner Holmes standing by the redoubt on Shorncliffe Camp. He had a bag under his arm. I asked him what he had got in it, and he replied “Nothing.” I then took the bag from his arm and opened it, and found the glass produced. I asked him where he got it from, and he replied his comrade picked it up at Hythe two or three days ago. I asked where his comrade was, and he said on the camp. I wait­ed some few minutes, and the prisoner Shea came over the hill from the redoubt. I asked the prisoner Shea where he got the glass from, and be replied that he found it at Hythe two or three days ago. I then apprehended both.

Prisoner Shea, in defence, said: I am sorry that it occurred. I picked it up on the Sandgate Road. I hope it will be a warning to me in future against picking up anything again.

Prisoner Holmes, in defence, said,: I am not guilty of the charge. I am a stranger in the country.

Both committed to St. Augustine’s for 14 days with hard labour.

Kentish Gazette 22-5-1860

At the Hythe Petty Sessions, on Thursday, William Shea and George Holmes were brought up, on remand from the 5^th instant, charged with having, on the 5^th of May, at Risborough Lane, near Shorncliffe Camp, stolen a glass tumbler, of the value of 4d., the pro­perty of Mr. Bailey.

Robert Bailey said: I keep the Unity public-house, at Risborough Lane, in the parish of Cheriton. Both the prisoners have frequented my house. They have been there twice during the last fortnight. I am in the habit of losing a number of glasses and pots at various times. The prisoners were at my house on the morning of the 4^th instant, about eleven o'clock. I did not see them leave. The tumbler now produced is mine. I know it because I marked my name upon it. The value of the tumbler is 4d. I lose sometimes a dozen glasses a week, sometimes more. I don’t know whether this glass was taken from my canteen at the camp, or from my house at Risborough Lane. I did not give or sell the tumbler to either of the prisoners.

Joseph Hodges deposed: I am a sergeant of the K.C.C., Shorncliffo Camp. 1 was on duty on the morning of the 5^th instant. I saw the prisoner Holmes standing by the redoubt on Shorncliffe Camp. He had a bag under his arm. I asked him what he had got in it, and he replied “Nothing.” I then took the bag from his arm and opened it, and found the glass produced. I asked him where he got it from, and he replied his comrade picked it up at Hythe two or three days ago. I asked where his comrade was, and he said on the camp. I wait­ed some few minutes, and the prisoner Shea came over the hill from the redoubt. I asked the prisoner Shea where he got the glass from, and be replied that he found it at Hythe two or three days ago. I then apprehended both.

Prisoner Shea, in defence, said: I am sorry that it occurred. I picked it up on the Sandgate Road. I hope it will be a warning to me in future against picking up anything again.

Prisoner Holmes, in defence, said,: I am not guilty of the charge. I am a stranger in the country.

Both committed to St. Augustine’s for 14 days with hard labour.

Dover Chronicle 12-10-1861

Hythe County Magistrates Clerk`s Office, Monday: Before T. Du Boulay Esq.

Thomas Butler was charged with breaking into a coach-house at Sandgate and stealing a coat and rug, the property of James Perch, livery stable keeper, Sandgate.

Prosecutor said – About two o`clock on Saturday morning, prisoner, who was standing opposite the Military Road, hailed me and asked if I was going to the Camp. I replied “No”, I was going to my stables. He said he was going to Hythe, and asked me to give him a lift as far as my stables. I did so. Whilst in the road he said “I want to hire stabling for six horses; they belong to the Quartermaster-General: I am his stud groom.” I drove into my yard, and he assisted me in taking my horse out, and putting away my harness. I requested him to meet me the next morning to arrange about the horses. The same morning I saw the prisoner in a beer-house called the City, but nothing passed between us. About a quarter past eight, as I was sweeping my yard down, I saw the prisoner run by the gates of my yard towards Hythe. The coat and rug produced are my property. I left them both in my carriage, in the coach-house, on Saturday morning, locked up. At eight that morning I missed them. The coach-house door had been unbolted, and was open. The rug is worth 10s., and the coat about 10s.

Rebecca Farmer said – Shortly after two on Saturday morning the prisoner came up to me near the True Briton public house. I told him I was locked out. He said “Wait a minute, and I will come back to you.” When he came back he had the rug and coat produced, and asked me to go home with him. I went to his lodgings across the camp, and left when the gun fired. He came down with me, and put on the coat; but afterwards went back and took the coat off. When he came back I said “I thought you had your big coat on.” He replied “No. I have been and locked my things up in the box.”

John Wilkinson, shoemaker, Risboro` Lane, deposed to lodging with the prisoner for about three nights, and also to purchasing the coat produced of the prisoner for 3s.

Friend Gower, licensed hawker, sworn – I was in the Unity beer-house, Risboro` Lane, on Saturday last, a little before one in the afternoon. The prisoner came in and asked me if I was the buyer of the makings of a coat. I said yes, if I could see it. He showed me the rug (produced) at his lodgings, saying he was an officer`s servant, and his master was gone to India; he had sold his dog-cart and horse, and had made him a present of the rug. I bought it of him for 4s., a silver ring, and a scarf pin.

Sergeant Smith, K.C.C., said he went in pursuit of the prisoner, and apprehended him at Northgate, Canterbury. He denied all knowledge of the coat.

Prisoner confessed to selling the rug and coat; but denied taking them out of the man`s carriage, stating that he found them on the road. To his knowledge, he had never been inside the prosecutor`s premises.

Committed for trial at the East Kent Quarter Sessions.

Folkestone Chronicle 25-4-1868

Local News

Patrick Maguire, a private in the C battery, 11^th Brigade, stationed at Shorncliffe, was at a public house called the Unity in Risborough Lane on Good Friday. It appears he was rather the worse for liquor, and began quarrelling between nine and ten o`clock, and was turned out of the house by the military police. Within half an hour after, some of his comrades found him a little distance from the house, with his jacket and shirt off, covered with his greatcoat. He was carried up to the camp and put in the guardroom, being supposed to be drunk, and it was not until Sunday that medical aid was obtained, when it was found he was suffering from concussion of the brain, of which he died on Friday last. At the inquest, which was held at the Kent Hotel, evidence was given to show that he could not have received the blows from the effects of which he died in the house, but nothing further was elicited. The jury returned a verdict censuring the military authorities for allowing him to remain so long without being seen by the doctor.

Folkestone Observer 25-4-1868

Inquest

Great excitement has been exhibited in Sandgate since yesterday week in consequence of the death of an artilleryman named Maguire from violence received from some person or persons unknown. It appears that the poor fellow was spending Good Friday in a public house in Risborough Lane, and near to the camp at Shorncliffe, when a general disturbance took place, but how he met with his death is enveloped in mystery.

On Monday an inquest was opened by T.T. Delasaux Esq., and a respectable jury. The body having been viewed, the following evidence was taken: -

John Back deposed: On Good Friday I was attending to the business of Robert Bailey, who keeps the Unity Inn, Cheriton. The deceased came into the house between eight and nine o`clock that evening in a state of intoxication. He was accompanied by another soldier belonging to the Artillery. There was a quarrel between two men, and I obtained assistance and they were removed from the house. The deceased remained, but shortly afterwards left. I believe the man who came into the house with deceased was William Elvison. The deceased was not hopelessly drunk. I believe he was capable of walking home.

William Elvison, driver, Royal Artillery: I saw the deceased in the barrack canteen about seven o`clock on the evening of Good Friday. I accompanied him to the Unity beerhouse, and we arrived there a little after eight. The deceased was a little the worse for liquor, but I was sober. I ordered and paid for a pot of ale, which was drunk by deceased, another soldier named Robert Murray, and myself. John Johnson, a gunner in the Artillery, got off his seat, came towards the deceased, and struck him in the face. In consequence of Johnson having struck the deceased I struck Johnson, and we had a round or two. I looked round for the deceased afterwards and he was gone. I was turned out of the house with others by the provost, and on my going out into the road I saw Maguire lying in the middle of the lane, about five or six yards from the Unity, and covered with blood. He was then alone. Robert Murray was with me, and we endeavoured to lift up the deceased. Being unable to do so, I left the deceased in the charge of Murray and went and fetched another comrade named Philip Blyth. We three then carried the deceased home to the barracks and placed him in bed, he being insensible. The blow given to the deceased by Johnson was a severe one. It was on his nose, and blood came therefrom.

Robert Murray, lance corporal, 7^th Dragoon Guards: On Good Friday I was doing duty as garrison military policeman from about a quarter to seven until half past eleven. About half past nine I went into the Unity for the purpose of quelling a row. Upon going into the parlour I observed Johnson and Elvison fighting. I immediately removed them from the house with the assistance of Sergt. Marshall, of the Royal Artillery. The deceased was sitting in the corner of the room at that time. I did not observe any mark upon him, or that he was bleeding. Afterwards I turned deceased and several other soldiers belonging to the artillery out of the house. Deceased went in the direction of the barracks. Johnson returned in about five minutes. I refused to admit him into the house. He was then more calm than when he went from the house.

Daniel Murray: I went into the Unity about half past seven on Good Friday evening, and remained there about an hour. About twenty minutes to nine o`clock I was called out by Elvison, and went with him. We found the deceased lying in the road about forty yards from the Unity Inn. It was dark. Deceased did not speak. I assisted Elvison and Blyth in carrying the deceased into his hut. I believed he was very drunk, as he was in the habit of getting intoxicated.

Henry Shelley, bombardier, Royal Artillery: I saw the deceased in the Royal Artillery Guardroom about half past seven o`clock on the morning of Saturday, the 11<sup>th</sup> instant. He was there for being drunk. I saw blood on his face. I saw him three times that morning, and about two o`clock in the afternoon I handed him over to bombardier James Meedes. Deceased appeared then in the same state.

Bombardier James Meedes: I saw the deceased in the Guardroom, and examined him. I found he had two black eyes, and was insensible. He was imprisoned in the cell all that night, and on Sunday morning I made a report to the Sergeant Major concerning him. The medical officer then came and attended the deceased in the Guardroom.

Alfred Frederick Stafford Clarke: I am a doctor of medicine and assistant surgeon in the Royal Artillery. I was called upon to attend the deceased at 12 o`clock on the 12<sup>th</sup> inst. I found him speechless, but partly conscious. I prescribed him for necessary treatment, believing him to be suffering from the combined effects of drink and a slight concussion of the brain. I made an external examination of his body, and discovered that he had two black eyes, a slight bruise on the nose, and marks as of dry blood on his face. I continued to attend him till his death, which took place on Friday morning last, about eight o`clock. I was then unable to account for his death, but I have this day made a post mortem examination of the deceased, and on opening his head I discovered a quantity of extravasated blood between the membrane and the surface of the brain, which produced death. The skull was not fractured, nor was there any external mark of violence besides those before stated. The blow alleged to have been received in the Unity could not have produced the extravasation of blood which caused death, as, if it had, the deceased could not have walked from the house to the road where he was subsequently found.

Some discrepancies will be noticed in the foregoing evidence, and the police had been quite unable to obtain any evidence as to what transpired after the deceased left the Unity, although i was believed that many persons could do so if they would come forward, as great numbers of soldiers were passing along Risborough Lane about the time the deceased must have received his injuries. The jury examined the witnesses at great length without being able to ascertain anything further, and it was ultimately resolved to adjourn until Thursday in order that Supt. English might make further inquiries.

The inquest was resumed on Thursday afternoon at the Royal Kent Hotel.

Mr. English, Superintendent of the K.C.C., said, in answer to the Coroner, that he had a woman present who could perhaps throw some light on the matter.

Hannah Jay deposed that she did not know the deceased. Her husband asked her to go for a pint of beer for supper on good Friday evening between nine and ten o`clock. She went to the Unity Inn and there was a great disturbance there; men were fighting. Saw Mr. Back knock an Artilleryman down and kick him: that occurred in the passage. Sergeant Marshall said that he would see the man home and went out with him. Whether that man was the deceased or not she could not tell. Was positive as to the time; it was between twenty minutes and half past nine.

Gunner Elvison, re-examined, said he did not see Mr. Back strike Maguire. There were about eight men in the room when witness was fighting with Johnson.

By the Foreman: Witness had to get to his hut at roll call – ten o`clock. He was at home at that time.

Gunner Harvey, examined (but not sworn), said he was at the Unity Inn on Good Friday evening about eight o`clock. There was a scuffle in the front room. Saw Back strike Maguire, and witness struck Back. Back then knocked witness down. Witness was then pushed out of the house. Thought there were about 20 or 30 men in the room – it was full. Maguire was a comrade of witness`s. Knew of his death on the following Saturday, but had never repeated to anyone what he had now stated.

A juror explained that Harvey was in front of the bar of the Hotel, when he was heard to say that Back kicked Maguire and broke his ribs, and that deceased was murdered.

Witness said that he had never told anyone of the above circumstances until now. The Sergeant Major had told him to come down to the jury.

An officer present said it was the duty of the witness to have reported to his commanding officer what he had just now said immediately after the death of Maguire.

The Coroner said it was most extraordinary that the witness – an old comrade of the deceased – should have gone so long with closed lips on the affair – from Good Friday evening until now.

John Back said he was conducting the business of the Unity Inn for Mr. Bailey. To his knowledge he saw no-one strike or kick Maguire, either in the room or passage. He certainly did not himself strike Maguire, but he did strike a Royal Artillery gunner in the passage about a quarter or half past nine. The gunner`s name was Harvey. There was a row in the room, and witness was trying to part Johnson and Elvison, when Harvey struck him on the cheek bone. Witness then followed him and returned the blow by knocking him down in the passage. He was quite certain as to the time, and could produce witnesses as to it`s correctness. At that time deceased was sitting in the room.

The jury then wished the room cleared, and after being closeted together for three quarters of an hour the public were admitted and the Foreman of the jury read the following verdict:

“That the deceased Patrick Maguire came by his death through injuries inflicted upon him on the night of the 15^th April in an encounter with some person or persons unknown, and that his death was accelerated from being unattended from the time of being carried to his room between nine and ten o`clock p.m. on the said evening in a totally helpless state and insensible, and subsequently on the following morning between seven and eight o`clock being transferred as a prisoner to the Guardroom, and there detained till Sunday morning about ten o`clock in the same state of unconsciousness and insensibility, with unmistakable proof of the injuries from which he was suffering (at which time a report was made to a medical officer), and from thence transferred to the military hospital, where he died on the 17^th instant.

The jury desire that a copy of this, their verdict, should be forwarded to the Commander-in-Chief, and the jury would express their unqualified disapprobriation of the treatment of soldiers supposed to be intoxicated, and would urge upon the Commander-in-Chief a regulation whereby no soldier should be allowed to remain beyond 12 hours in a state of helplessness or insensibility without a medical examination”.

The Coroner said he was very much obliged to the jury for the kind attention they had paid to the inquest, trespassing as it did so much on their valuable time, and he quite agreed with their verdict. By the evidence before them they could not have returned any other. He hoped that on some future occasion the case would be quite cleared up.

Kentish Gazette 28-4-1868

Con­siderable sensation has been created in Sandgate in consequence of a soldier having died on Friday week from violence perpetrated by parties who cannot be discovered. The de­ceased was a soldier of the Royal Artillery named Patrick Maguire, aged about 38 years. He belonged to the C bat­tery, 11^th Brigade, which has just left Shorncliffe.

On Good Friday evening last he was in a small public house called the Unity, situate in Risborough Lane, near the Camp. The house was crowded with soldiers, and one of them, another artilleryman, named Johnson, was singing. Ma­guire (who was rather the worse for liquor) interrupted him while singing, and this seems to have irritated Johnson, who struck him a blow in the face. A comrade of Maguire’s named Elvison took his part, and he and Johnson fought in the room. The landlord of the house interfered, and a general scuffle seems to have taken place, in the course of which the landlord knocked a soldier down in the pas­sage and it was alleged kicked him. The picket was called in and the house cleared. Johnson it is said left before the deceased, and about a quarter of an hour or twenty minutes after the latter had left the room where the fight took place, Elvison and another com­rade named Daniel Murray came out. A short distance from the Unity they found the deceased lying on the ground with his jacket and shirt off, and covered over with his great coat. He was covered with blood and quite insensible. With the assistance of another soldier they carried him to his hut and put him to bed. The next morning he was found by the sergeant to be still insensible, and the ser­geant supposing him to be intoxicated ordered him to be taken to the guard-house. The deceased’s meals were brought to him at the proper time throughout Saturday, and on Sunday morning, but as he still continued unconscious they were placed beside him and left there. At noon on Sunday the corporal of the guard appeared to think that forty hours was too long for a man to remain insensibly drunk, and he accordingly communicated with his superior, and the military doctor was summoned. That gentleman ordered the deceased to be at once removed to the hospital, and there deceased remained until Friday, the 17^th instant, when he died, never once having recovered consciousness sufficiently to be able to speak. The cause of death was concussion of the brain, and the surgeon was positive that the blow given by Johnson in the room at the Unity did not cause the injury. It was quite plain that the deceased had been ill-treated subsequent to his leaving the room, as he had two black eyes in addition to a bruise on the nose, which it was believed was caused by the single blow which Johnson was seen to give him.

On Monday an in­quest was opened before T. T. Delasaux, Esq. The jury returned the following special verdict: That the de­ceased, Patrick Maguire, came by his death through injuries inflicted upon him on the night of April 10^th in an en­counter with some person or persons unknown; and that his death was accelerated through his being unattended from the time of his being carried to his room between 9 and ten o’clock on the said evening in a helpless and in­sensible state, and subsequently on the following morning being transferred as a prisoner to the guard-room, and there detained until Sunday morning about ten o’clock in the same state of unconsciousness, after unmistakeable proof of the injuries from which he was suffering. The jury further desire the Coroner to forward their verdict to the Commander-in-Chief, and express their unqualified disapprobation of the treatment of prisoners supposed to be intoxicated; and would urge upon the Commander-in-Chief a regulation whereby no soldier should be allowed to re­main beyond twelve hours in a state of unconsciousness or insensibility from any cause whatever, without a medical examination.

Kentish Gazette 2-2-1869

On Saturday last an inquest was held at the Unity Inn, Cheriton, before T. T. Delasaux, Esq. on the body of Ann Stokes, a girl aged 11, whose death was caused on the previous Tuesday, by her clothes becoming ignited while sitting with other children near the fire in the National School-room, Cheriton. The jury re­turned a verdict of Accidental Death.

Folkestone Observer 6-2-1869

Inquest

An inquest was held at the Unity Inn, Cheriton, on Saturday afternoon last, before T.T. Delasaux Esq., Coroner for East Kent, and a respectable jury, on the body of a girl 12 years of age, named Anne Stokes, who was severely burnt at the National Schools on Monday last, and who died on Tuesday night. After the swearing of the jury and viewing of the body, the following evidence was taken:

John Philpott, aged 11 years, was at the National schoolroom of the Parish of Cheriton and Newington on Monday last about 12 o`clock, when the scholars were all sitting down. Desired them to rise, and they did so, deceased at this time being near the fire. Her clothes were shortly afterwards seen to be in flames and she ran up the schoolroom, witness running after her, but not being able to catch her. The schoolmistress extinguished the flames. Believed it was purely accidental, and no blame could be attached to any person. Deceased ran to the house of the schoolmistress, and it was there that the flames were extinguished.

Amy Greenstreet, wife of Stephen Henry Greenstreet, schoolmaster of the Cheriton National Schools deposed that on Monday last, about 12 o`clock, she was nursing her bay at her home when she heard someone scream and call “Fire”. She placed her child in the arms of the last witness, Philpott, and ran into the washhouse. Saw deceased there, whose clothes were in flames. Took a mat and a hearth rug and wrapped them round the body of deceased, thereby extinguishing the flames. Witness then cut the clothes from deceased and applied oil and wadding to the injuries. Witness then sent for a surgeon, and Dr. Bateman came.

William Bateman, surgeon, Folkestone, said he was sent for about two o`clock on Monday to attend the deceased. On his arrival he found deceased suffering from severe burns on every part of her body, with the exception of that part of the body protected by her stays. He continued to attend until her death, which took place the following night. Deceased never rallied from the time of the accident until the time of her death.

The jury returned a verdict of death from accidental burning.

Folkestone Express 9-9-1882

Inquest

On Saturday an inquest was held at the Unity Inn, Risborough Lane, by T. Delasaux Esq., County Coroner, on the body of a boy aged 10 years, named Tom Culver Foulks, who committed suicide by hanging himself on the previous day. This is the third inquest on the bodies of persons who have committed suicide by hanging within a period of three months, although the village itself does not number more than thirty houses, and about 150 inhabitants. About six weeks since a woman committed suicide by hanging in the next house to that in which the present case occurred, and the deceased child was said to be the primary cause of the quarrel which led to the woman hanging herself.

The only witness called was Ellen Foulks, wife of John Foulks, a labourer, (who) said the body viewed by the jury was that of her child, Tom Culver Foulks, aged 10 years. On Thursday she sent him to Sandgate at half past seven in the morning. He did not return until about two o`clock. She scolded him and told him to go to bed. He went up to his room, and she last saw him alive about half past three. When she went up soon after four o`clock she found him hanging from a nail in the wall by a piece of cord. He was quite dead.

By the jury: When I saw him at half past three he laughed at me. He was a very affectionate child. He had typhoid fever last summer, and was a little light headed, but he had not been so since.

The jury returned a verdict of “Suicide while in a state of temporary insanity”.

Folkestone Up To Date 16-7-1898

Hythe County Bench

Thursday, July 14^th: Before J. Du Boulay, W. Wightwick, E.S. Thompson, and A.S. Jnes Esqs., and Captain Mansell.

The temporary licence of the Unity Inn, Cheriton, was granted to Mr. Thomas Lane.

Note: Date is at variance with More Bastions

Hythe Reporter 16-7-1898

Hythe County Sessions

Before Messrs. Du Boulay, A.S. Jones, E.S. Thompson, W. Wightwick, and Capt. Mansell

Mr. Lane applied for the transfer of the Unity Inn at Cheriton.

The transfer was granted.

Note: Date is at variance with More Bastions.

Folkestone Herald 15-7-1899

Felix

Exit the Unity Inn, Risborough Lane

This well known inn, and a small cottage adjoining, having been disposed of by the Trustees of the Bayly Estate to the Government, the buildings will be shortly demolished, and the land utilised for military purposes. I understand the owner of the Unity intends to apply for a licence for a building to be erected further down the lane, in the vicinity of Keeler`s Stores. I take it that the Government will set back their new buildings, and thus effect the widening to the Camp end of the thoroughfare.

Folkestone Express 12-8-1899

Hythe Police Court

Thursday, August 11^th: Before Captain Mansell and A.S. Jones Esq.

Thomas Lane, Unity Inn, Cheriton, was charged with unlawfully permitting drunkenness on his licensed premises on July 31^st. Mr. Ford appeared for defendant, who pleaded Not Guilty.

P.C. Gannaway, stationed at Cheriton, said at 7.30 p.m. on the date in question, while passing the Unity Inn he noticed several persons in and out of the house very much the worse for liquor. He noticed that two men named Thomas Down and James Shorter were drunk, and a man named Conley was very much the worse for liquor. He afterwards reported the case to the sergeant.

By the Inspector: The men he had named were drinking beer from pint glasses.

Cross-examined by Mr. Ford: Witness didn`t see the men Downs or Shorter served. Witness was watching for about three minutes, but did not go in and tell the landlord of the inn.

P.C. Stone deposed: At 10.15 p.m. on the 31^st July last, from what I was told, I visited the Unity public house. Outside the house on a seat between the tap-room window and the wall I saw a man named James Shorter, who was drunk, in company with a man named Conley, who was very much the worse for drink. They were both drinking beer. Shorter was very quiet, he being almost unable to speak. I then went inside the house. In the passage I saw another man, unknown to me, very much the worse for drink, drinking with a sober man. I then went into the tap-room, where I saw Thomas Downs sitting at a table with two other men. Downs was drunk – the other two men perfectly sober. I then left the house, and at about 10.45 p.m. I saw Downs leave by the front door and with difficulty he got down the steps into the road, in company with another man, and went in the direction of his home. He was very quiet, but staggered from one side of the road to the other. I then noticed that Shorter and Conley were about leaving from the wall at the side of the house. I went inside and called the landlord to see Shorter. I pointed him out as he was going down the road. Defendant said “You know, Sergeant, I can`t see much – I don`t think he is so very drunk”. I then followed Shorter and Conley down the lane towards their homes. I saw Shorter home to his door. For some distance I kept speaking to Shorter, but he was unable to answer me. I then went back to the landlord and told him what I had seen, namely, these two men – whom I had previously cautioned him about serving, and about having men in his house drunk. I mentioned their names to him and told him it was little or no good cautioning him, and it was my duty to report him for permitting drunkenness. Defendant said “Do you know I have been looking for you all the day, Sergeant? That man Shorter is a great nuisance to me. I pay rates and taxes, and don`t see why I should not have more police protection”. I told him it might be a serious matter to him being reported, and if he had any doubt about whether the men were drunk, as they were both gone to their homes, he might have them medically examined.

Cross-examined by Mr. Ford: When witness visited the house at 10.15 he did not see the landlord, and made no remark to the barmaids. The defendant did not express surprise when he was told the men were drunk. Defendant stated that he had turned Shorter out of the house on Saturday night.

A Lance Corpl. Of the Military Police gave corroborative evidence.

Defendant said that he had cautioned Shorter that he would never be served in the house again whether he was drunk or sober. As far as he knew, Shorter was not in the house on the date in question. Witness had held the licence about 15 months, but had been connected with it for 40 years. On the night in question defendant never saw or served Shorter or Downs.

A barmaid in the employ of defendant said she served Downs once on the night in question, but did not see Shorter. Witness had received instructions from her employer never to serve anyone the worse for drink or to permit drunkenness on the premises. She did not notice whether Downs was drunk.

Stephen Tutt said he was at the Unity Inn on the date in question and saw Downs enter in company with two friends. He was perfectly sober. Witness was outside, sitting on a bench in company with Shorter, who did not go into the house. Witness went into the house and left Shorter sitting on the wall. When witness left the house about ten o`clock Shorter was sober, and he had not seen him served with drink.

Mr. Ford, for the defence, pointed out that the man Shorter remained in the front of the premises and did not enter the house, or he would have been refused drink and ordered to leave the premises. Shorter, if he had any drink, had obtained it by subterfuge or trick.

The Magistrates retired to consider, and upon returning to the Court, the Chairman, addressing the defendant, said: We find you did permit drunkenness and therefore we fine you £5, and the costs, £1 3s. 6d. As it is the first occasion we shall not endorse the licence.

James Shorter and Thomas Downs were then charged with being drunk on licensed premises on the same date.

Mr. H.S. Wilks, solicitor, addressed the Bench at some length on behalf of the defendants.

Downs was fined 5s. and 12s. costs, and Shorter 2s. 6d. and 12s. costs.

Folkestone Herald 12-8-1899

Hythe Divisional Sessions

On Thursday last, before Captain Mansell and Mr. A.S. Jones, Mr. Thomas Lane, landlord of the Unity Inn, Cheriton, was summoned for permitting drunkenness. He pleaded Not Guilty. Mr. F. Hall, of Folkestone, appeared for the defendant.

P.C. Frederick Kenward, stationed at Cheriton, deposed: About 7.30 p.m. on the 31^st July, while passing the Unity Inn, I noticed several persons in and out of the house very much the worse for liquor, amongst whom were Thomas Downs and James Shorter, and a man named Conley. I afterwards saw P.S. Stone and reported the case to him. I am quite sure Shorter and Downs were drunk. Downs was in the tap-room and Shorter was outside. They were drinking beer in pint glasses.

By Mr. Hall: On the 31^st July it was a hot day. It was nothing unusual for people to be outside of a summer`s evening. I was out in the road. I could see Downs. His head was out of the window. I was about seven yards off. Shorter was outside. I did not see either Shorter or Downs served with drink; I simply saw them drinking. I made no communication to the landlord at the time. I did not go inside the house. I had called in several times before; not on this occasion.

Mr. Hall: You simply passed by like the Good Samaritan and said nothing. (Laughter)

Cross-examination continued: I reported to P.S. Stone a quarter of an hour afterwards. Shorter was on his legs, talking very loudly, and unable to speak plainly. Downs was standing up talking loudly. He did not make any disturbance. Shorter kept rolling about. I made a note about ten minutes after, adding to it when I had seen P.S. Stone. I took the time from my watch.

P.S. Stone, stationed at Cheriton, deposed: At 10.15 p.m. on the date in question I visited the Unity Inn. Outside the house, between the tap-room window and the wall, I saw James Shorter, who was drunk, in company with Conley, who was very much the worse for drink. They were both drinking beer. Shorter was very quiet, being almost unable to speak. I then went inside the house in the passage. I saw another man, unknown to me, very much the worse for drink, drinking with a sober man. I then went into the tap-room, where I saw Thomas Downs, sitting at a table with two other men, the other two men being perfectly sober. I then left the house. At about 10.45 I saw Downs leave by the front door, and with difficulty he got down the steps, with another man, going in the direction of his home. He was very quiet, but staggering from one side of the road to the other. I noticed that Shorter and Conley were about to leave from the wall outside the house. I went inside, and called the landlord`s attention to Shorter. I pointed him out as he was going down the road. The landlord said “Do you know, Sergeant, I can`t see very much. I don`t think that he is so very drunk”. I then followed Shorter and Conley down the lane towards their homes. I saw Shorter home to his door. I kept speaking to him, but he was unable to answer. He was full right up with drink. I went back to the Unity Inn, where I saw Mr. Lane, the landlord. I told him what I had seen, naming the two men whom I had previously cautioned him about serving. I told him that it was little or no good cautioning him, and felt it my duty to report him for permitting drunkenness. He said “Do you know that I have been looking for you all day, Sergeant? That man Shorter is a great nuisance to me. I pay rates and taxes, and I don`t see why I should not have more police protection”. I told him that as it might be a serious matter for him being reported, if he had any doubt whether the men were drunk, as they had both gone to their homes, he might have them medically examined.

Cross-examined by Mr. Hall: I went to the house. I saw the two barmaids, I believe, but made no remark to them. Shorter was outside, leaning against the wall. I saw him drinking beer with a man named Conley. Conley was more active on his legs, but he was really the worse man of the two. He was swearing, but I won`t say he was drunk. I did not see Downs served with drink. I have been sent for on more than one occasion by Mr. Lane to remove Shorter. I believe he said that on Saturday, 29<sup>th</sup>, he had to turn Shorter out. I told him that it was a pity he did not turn him out then. I saw Shorter outside the premises; not inside the house itself. It is a private garden. The only other licensed place in Cheriton was the White Lion. My object in calling at Downs` house was to let his wife know his condition if he had not reached home.

By the Bench: There might be difficulty in finding the police.

By Mr. Hall: When I saw Mr. Lane I told him I had not seen him for more than a week. Both the men are habitual drunkards.

Lance Crpl. Fredk. Srodiznski, of the Military Police, Shorncliffe, deposed: On the night of the 31^st, at about 10.15 p.m., I was on Military Police duty in Risborough Lane. I saw P.S. Stone leave the Unity Inn. I stood there till 10.45. I saw him again enter. I saw Downs leave. As he came down the steps he nearly fell. I saw the Sergeant follow him towards Cheriton. I also saw him speak to Shorter, who was sitting on the wall at the top of the steps. He also went towards Cheriton. They were both drunk. Some few minutes after, P.S. Stone came back to me. I have no doubt whatever about their being drunk.

By Mr. Hall: There is a lamp directly opposite. A man might make a mistake in his footing. Sharter was not able to get home without assistance. It would take Downs some time.

On the other side, the defendant, Mr. Thomas Lane, deposed: I am the licence holder of the Unity, the licence of which I have held about 15 months. The house belongs to the family. I had the object in view of protecting the licence in the interests of the family. I had told Shorter never to come again. I said “I will never allow you to be served whether you are drunk or sober”. Every day I gave instructions that Shorter was not to be served, or anyone else that had anything approaching too much drink. I am always on the premises myself. On July 31^st I was at the Unity during the whole evening. I did not serve Shorter with any drink. I was in the bar parlour. I did not know that Shorter was there before the police sergeant came up. I never saw Bowns at all; I don`t know him. I belive there were only three people in the tap-room the whole evening. They were making no noise. I have sent for the police on two or three occasions, not for Shorter. On one occasion that resulted in the prosecution of a man. I told the Sergeant that I had not seen him or any of his men for a week. When the Sergeant came in and saw me, he told me there was a man or two on the premises drunk. I was very much surprised to hear it. I thought that it was their duty to look after the outside people. I was surprised to know that Shorter was outside. That was the first intimation I had that Shorter was anywhere about. If I had known I should have ordered him off at once. I swear that I never saw Shorter that night. I never served him with any drink. I did not serve Downs; I never saw him. There was no disturbance.

By Superintendent Hollands: Shorter is a troublesome customer. They were very quiet outside. I provide a seat close to the front of the house. Between the house and the road belonged to the house. I do very little serving myself.

Miss Lucy Mount, barmaid to Mr. Lane, deposed: Instructions were given never to serve Shorter. On Monday evening I was serving at the bar. I was there all the evening. I did not serve Shorter with any drink. I did not see him at all. Downs and someone else came in about half past nine. I served him with a pint of beer. I did not serve him during the rest of the evening. Downs was not noisy. There were three people in the smoking room. I did not take much notice of Downs. I did not see that there was anything at all the matter with him. There was nothing to lead me to suppose that he was drunk. When I went in the Inn I had instructions not to serve anyone the worse for drink.

Miss Laura Mount, barmaid, deposed:  On Monday night I did not see Shorter. I would have seen him if he was inside the house. I saw Downs. He went straight through. There were three men, I think. I served them with a pot of beer. Downs was quiet. I did not notice that there was anything the matter with him. I had instructions not to serve anyone the worse for drink.

By Superintendent Hollands: I did not notice there was anything the matter with Downs.

Stephen Tutt, house painter, Cheriton, deposed: On the evening in question I was at the Unity in company with Shorter. I saw Downs enter with two friends. He was perfectly sober. I saw him go in the tap-room. Shorter did not go inside whilst I was there, from eight to ten. I got beer from the Unity. I allowed Shorter to have some of it. Shorter was sitting on the wall by the road. He was not sitting on the seat. I should say Shorter was sober when I left.

By Superintendent Hollands: I did not see P.S. Stone.

Mr. F. Hall having addressed the Bench at some length, the Magistrates fined the defendant £5 and £1 3s. costs, and as it was the first occasion they did not endorse the licence.

James Shorter and Thos. Downs were subsequently fined 2s. 6d. and 12s. costs respectively for being drunk on licensed premises on the 31^st July. This was the latter`s second offence. Mr. G.W. Haines represented them.

 

Folkestone Up To Date 12-8-1899

Local News

At the Hythe County Police Court on Monday, Thomas Lane, of the Unity Inn, Cheriton, was summoned for permitting drunkenness at his licensed house on the night of July 31^st. He was represented for the defence by Mr. Ford.

P.C. Gannaway deposed to seeing several persons, including two men who were specially named, Downs and Shorter, drunk in the house, and were seen drinking beer from pint glasses.

P.S. Stone gave corroborative evidence. One man was so drunk that he could with difficulty get down the steps on to the road, and two men were followed by the police to their homes. Defendant said, added Stone “Do you know I have been looking for you all the day, Sergeant? That man Shorter is a great nuisance to me. I pay rates and taxes, and don`t see why I should not have more police protection”. Stone replied that the defendant should have the men medically examined.

The defendant deposed that he had cautioned Shorter. He had held his licence for 15 months, but had been connected with the house many years.

A barmaid at the Unity Inn gave evidence to the effect that she had strict instructions not to serve those who came into the house drunk.

A person named Stephen Tutt said that Downs, who was mentioned by the police as having been drunk, entered the house in a sober state on the night in question, and Shorter was sober at 10 o`clock, and remained outside.

The defendant was fined £5 and £1 3s. 6d. costs, but the licence was not endorsed.

Thomas Downs and James Shorter, for being drunk at the Unity Inn, were fined, the first 5s. and 12s. costs, and the latter, 2s. 6d. and 12s. costs.

Folkestone Express 26-8-1899

Elham Licensing Sessions

The annual licensing sessions were held at Elham on Monday before F.D. Brockman Esq., and Captain Smythies.

The police opposed the licence of the Unity Inn, Cheriton, and an application of Mr. Lonergan for a new licence, all the other licences in the district being renewed. The sessions were adjourned until September 29^th.