London And Paris 1905 - 1909

Folkestone Express 8-7-1905

Thursday, July 6^th: Before Aldermen Penfold and Vaughan, Lieut. Cols. Fymore and Westropp, G. Spurgen and W.C. Carpenter Esqs.

Thomas Howard, South Lancs. Regt., was charged with being drunk and disorderly in South Street. He pleaded Guilty.

P.C. Minter said shortly before eleven the previous evening he was called by the landlord of the London and Paris Hotel to eject the prisoner. He was very drunk, and the landlord had refused to serve him. Witness requested him to go outside, and this he refused to do. Eventually prisoner was ejected, but as he refused to go away, and challenged witness to fight, he was taken into custody.

Fined 2s. 6d. and 4s. 6d. costs, or seven days`.

 

Folkestone Daily News 3-9-1906

Monday, September 3^rd: Before Messrs. Vaughan and Fynmore.

Hugh Murray Taylor was charged with obtaining credit by fraud and larceny.

George Gray, of the Paris Hotel, deposed that prisoner came to his place on the 22^nd August and took apartments, saying his father and mother were coming later on. He knew them very well. Being very full, prisoner was permitted to sleep in witness`s bedroom one night, and afterwards he had a room on another floor till the 26<sup>th</sup>. He then left without paying anything. On the 29<sup>th</sup> witness missed 1 spider diamond ring, 1 with 3 diamonds, 1 gold watch, chain and pendant, 1 sapphire and diamond pin, and 1 gent`s signet ring, the whole valued about £32. He last saw them safe on the 20^th or 21^st. Prisoner only slept in the room once. The articles produced were part of witness`s property. The rings had not been recovered.

James Filmer, of the Guildhall Tavern, deposed that prisoner came to his house on Friday week, saying he had been to the races and was broke. He asked for a loan of 5s., and handed witness a lady`s gold watch and chain, and also asked him to take care of a diamond pin which he said he might lose, as he had been drinking. Prisoner asked how much he owed, and witness told him 2s. He then said “Let me have another 3s., making it 10s. in all”, which he said he would get from his father on the following Saturday. Prisoner afterwards came and asked for another sovereign, but witness declined to lend it to him, but let him have 2s. 6d., making altogether 12s. 6d. Witness handed the chain and scarf pin (produced) to Sergeant Burniston, who afterwards searched prisoner in his presence and found the ring.

Prisoner was remanded till next Friday.

Folkestone Daily News 7-9-1906

Friday, September 7^th: Before The Mayor, Messrs. Fynmore and Vaughan.

Hugh Murray Taylor was charged on remand with stealing a quantity of jewellery from the London and Paris Hotel.

G.E. Gray had the depositions of the previous hearing read over, which he signed, as did also James Filmer, of the Guildhall Tavern.

Detective Burniston said that he received a warrant to arrest prisoner on the 31^st August on another charge. He found prisoner in bed at 38, Torrington Square. On hearing the warrant he replied that he was sorry that it had happened, and hoped it would be settled, as he had told Gray a lie. Witness took him to Tottenham Road police station, and from there to Folkestone, where he was charged and made no reply. He was charged with obtaining board and lodgings of G.E. Gray by a false statement. Prisoner had 8d. on him and some papers relating to horse racing, and a paper headed Guildhall Tavern, stating that he had borrowed 12s. 6d. on a scarf pin, which was to be forfeited if it was not redeemed by Sept. 1^st, signed “J. Filmer”. In consequence of finding the paper, witness went to the Guildhall Tavern, and saw Filmer and found the goods produced at the last hearing. He then charged prisoner with stealing the goods as specified in this charge. The prisoner admitted taking the whole of the articles except the three stone diamond ring. One ring had been pawned for £9, and others were found in the urinal of the Guildhall Vaults. Witness found them there in the presence of Filmer. On Monday he went to London with Gray to Davis Bros., 59, Cheapside, and there saw the three stone diamond ring, which Gray identified as his property.

Mr. John Morris, pawnbroker`s assistant, 59, Cheapside, London, deposed that to the best of his belief the prisoner left the ring on the 27^th August, and pledged for £8 in the name of H. Harvey, of Gower Street. On the 29^th he came and had a further advance of £1, and a duplicate of the ticket produced was given him. Mr. G.E. Gray identified the ring as his property.

Prisoner said he called on Mr. Gray, and was allowed to sleep in his room. He had some refreshment. While he was waiting for Mr. Gray to come up he saw the drawer was open a little, and he took the things and put them in his pocket and went to bed. At 7.30 the next morning he got up and found Mr. Gray had not slept in the room. The accused thought he was in the wrong room, and went downstairs, when Mr. Gray told him he had not been to bed. He (prisoner) had some refreshment, put his hand in his pocket, found the jewellery, and did not know what to do with it. He hid them all at first. He had no money, and asked Mr. Filmer, who lent him 12s. 6d., holding the pins as security. The other rings he pawned. Had he been sober he would not have done such a thing.

The accused was committed to take his trial at the next Quarter Sessions.

Bail was allowed in £50, and two sureties of £25 each.

The London pawnbroker asked to be allowed to have the ring, but it was ordered to be left in the custody of the Court.

 

Folkestone Express 8-9-1906

Monday, September 3^rd: Before Alderman Vaughan and Lieut. Colonel Fynmore.

Henry Murray Taylor, a respectably dressed young man of good appearance, was placed in the dock, charged with obtaining credit by fraud, and also with larceny.

The Chief Constable said the prisoner was arrested on a warrant in London for obtaining credit by false pretences, but, from other enquiries made, they had found that he had stolen a quantity of jewellery from the London and Paris Hotel. He, therefore, offered no evidence in the charge of false pretences, and would only deal with the charge of theft.

Mr. G.B. Gray, the proprietor of the London and Paris Hotel, said on August 22^nd the prisoner came to his place and asked for accommodation. He said he wished to stay at the hotel until the Thursday morning, when his father and mother were coming. Witness knew the prisoner`s father and mother very well. He took him into the hotel, and on the first night, owing to the hotel being so full, he slept in prosecutor`s bedroom. On the following night, until the 26^th, he occupied another bedroom on another floor. On the 27^th he left without paying his bill. On Wednesday, August 29^th, prosecutor went to his own bedroom and made a search. From a drawer of the dressing table he missed one lady`s five stone diamond ring, one three stone diamond ring, one gold watch chain with pendant attached, one gent`s sapphire and diamond pin, and a gent`s signet ring, value about £32. He last saw the jewellery safe on August 20^th. Prisoner only slept in his bedroom once. The pin, chain, pendant, and ring produced he identified as part of the missing property.

James Filmer, the landlord of the Guildhall Vaults, Guildhall Street, said the prisoner on August 24^th came to his house and said he had been to the races and was broke. He also asked him to lend him 5s., and handed to witness the lady`s gold chain. Afterwards he asked him if he would take care of a diamond ring, because he had been drinking and might lose it. He also asked how much he owed witness, and he told him 2s. Prisoner then asked him to let him have another 3s., and make it 10s., saying he would let him have it, as he was sending for it from his father. About half past ten on the following day he came to the house again, and asked him to let him have another £1. Witness declined. And told him he was not a money lender. Prisoner then said he had no money, and asked him to let him have a shilling or two. Witness gave him 2s. 6d. On Saturday last Detective Sergeant Burniston called upon him, and he handed him the diamond pin produced. He was also present when the Detective Sergeant searched Taylor and found on him the pendant and ring.

The Chief Constable said that was all the evidence he could offer that morning. It was necessary to make further enquiries with a view to recovering the missing property, therefore he asked for a remand for a few days.

The prisoner was therefore remanded until Friday.

Folkestone Herald 8-9-1906

Monday, September 3^rd: Before Alderman T.J. Vaughan and Councillor R.J. Fynmore.

Hugh Murray Taylor, a respectably dressed young man, was charged with obtaining credit by false pretences.

The Chief Constable said enquiries had been made, and it had been found that prisoner had stolen a quantity of jewellery from the London and Paris Hotel. He therefore proposed to offer no evidence in the case of false pretences, but to deal with the latter charge.

George Gray, an hotel proprietor, said he lived at the London and Paris Hotel, Harbour Street. Prisoner came there on 22^nd August and asked for accommodation, saying his father and mother were coming on the Thursday morning. He knew the accused`s father and mother very well. He took prisoner in the hotel, and as they were very full, the first night he slept in witness`s bedroom. On the following night he slept in a bedroom on another floor, and stayed in the hotel till the Sunday following, when he left without paying his bill. On Wednesday, 29^th August, from something his wife told him, he (witness) went to her bedroom and made a search. He missed from a drawer in a dressing table one lady`s five stone diamond ring, one three stone diamond ring, one gold watch chain with pendant attached, one gentleman`s sapphire and diamond pin, and one gentleman`s signet ring, value in all £32. The two rings had not yet been discovered. He (witness) last saw the articles safe on Monday, 20^th August, when they were in the drawer in the dressing table.

James Filmer, landlord of the Guildhall Vaults, said he knew the prisoner. On Friday night he came to his house, and said he had been at the races, and was “broke”; could witness lend him 5s.? Prisoner handed him the lady`s gold chain (produced), and afterwards asked him if he would mind a diamond pin of his, saying that he had been drinking, and might lose it. He asked witness how much he owed him, and witness replied “Two shillings”. Prisoner said “Let me have another three, and make it ten”, telling him that he would get the money from his father, who would be sending it off. Next day (Saturday) at about half past ten in the evening, prisoner asked for him, and said there was not time for the letter to come back from London, so would he let him have another sovereign? Witness declined, remarking that he was not a moneylender. Prisoner said he had got no money, and asked if witness would let him have a shilling or two. Witness then gave him 2s. 6d., making a total of 12s. 6d. On Saturday last Sergt. Burniston called on him, and he (witness) handed him the scarf pin and chain (produced).

The Chief Constable said that was all the evidence he proposed to offer that morning, and as it was necessary to make further enquiries, he asked for a remand until Friday.

The accused was put back till yesterday.

At the Folkestone Borough Bench yesterday (Friday) morning, before Alderman T.J. Vaughan, and Councillor R.J. Fynmore, Hugh Murray Taylor was brought up on remand.

Detective Sergeant Burniston deposed that on Friday, 31^st ult., he received a warrant for prisoner`s arrest on another charge. On the following day he proceeded to London at 8 a.m., and found prisoner in bed at No. 12, Torrington Square. Witness read the warrant over to him, and he replied “I am very sorry this has happened. I knew I had told Gray a lie. I hope this can he settled”. At Folkestone he searched accused, and found on him 8d. in money, some papers relating to horse racing, and a piece of paper (produced) on which something was written in pencil. In consequence of finding the latter he called on Mr. Filmer, who handed him the diamond scarf pin, and also the gold watch chain (produced). He said to prisoner, after the articles had been identified, “You will be further charged with stealing, between the 21^st and 26^th August, from a bedroom at the London and Paris Hotel, one five stone diamond ring, one three stone diamond ring, one signet ring, one gold chain and pendant, and one diamond scarf pin”. He cautioned prisoner, who replied “I admit taking the whole of the articles except the three stone diamond ring. I pawned one ring in London for £9. You will find the other ring and the gold pendant in the urinal of the Guildhall Vaults”. He went to the Guildhall Vaults, and made a search in the presence of Mr. Filmer. He found on the top of the cistern, concealed, the articles, which were identified by Mr. Gray. On Monday he proceeded to London in company with Mr. Gray, and at Davidson Bros., pawnbrokers, Cheapside, was shown the five stone diamond ring, which was identified by Mr. Gray in the shop.

Walter John Morris said he was an assistant in the employ of Messrs. Davidson Bros. To the best of his belief prisoner was the man who pledged the ring. He came in on the 27^th August, and had £8 on it, giving the name of Mr. H. Harvey, 76. Gower Street. Accused came in again on the 29^th, and asked for a further loan of £1 on the ring. Witness lent him the money.

Mr. Gray identified the ring (produced) as his property.

Accused said he called on Mr. Gray on the Wednesday about half past five, and he told him he might sleep up in his room. They stayed up till the early hours of the morning, three or four of them having a little refreshment. Then he went to bed. He half undressed, and saw a drawer in the room just a little open. As he was waiting for Mr. Gray to come up he had a look in the drawer and took the things mentioned, except the three stone ring. He put them in his pocket and got into bed. He woke up at about half past seven in the morning, and had a look round for Mr. Gray, but finding he had not slept there all night, he thought he (prisoner) was in the wrong room. He put on his things and went downstairs. Mr. Gray told him he had not been up to bed. He had a little refreshment, and on putting his hand into his pocket, he found the jewellery. He did not know what to do with it, so he hid them at first. Then he asked Mr. Filmer, as he had no money, if he would lend him some, and as security he gave him the things. He pawned the five stone ring. If he had been sober he would never have done such a thing.

Prisoner was committed to take his trial at the next Quarter Sessions for the borough, bail being offered, himself in £50, and two sureties of £25 each.

Folkestone Express 15-9-1906

Friday, September 7^th: Before The Mayor, Alderman Vaughan, and Lieut. Col. Fynmore.

Hugh Murray Taylor, a respectably dressed young fellow, was charged on remand with stealing a quantity of jewellery, valued at £32, the property of George B. Gray, of the London and Paris Hotel.

The evidence of Mr. Gray and Mr. Filmer, given at the previous hearing on Monday, was read over.

Detective Sergeant Burniston said on Friday, August 31^st, he received a warrant for the prisoner`s arrest on another charge. He proceeded to London, and at 8.00 a.m. the following day he found the prisoner in bed at No. 12, Torrington Square. He read the warrant to him and told him he was a police sergeant. Prisoner replied “I am very sorry this has happened. I know I told Gray a lie, and I hope this can be settled”. He took him into custody, and afterwards to Tottenham Court Road police station, where he was detained. Later he brought him to Folkestone police station, where he was formally charged with obtaining credit from George Gray, of the London and Paris Hotel, by false pretences. He made no reply. He searched the prisoner, and found in his possession 8d. in money, some papers relating to horse racing, and also the paper on which was written in pencil “28-8-06, Guildhall Vaults, Folkestone. You owe me 12s. 6d., for which I have a diamond crusted scarf pin and a gold watch chain, to be forfeited by September 1^st, 1906. Signed C. Filmer and H. Harvey”. In consequence of that paper he called on Filmer, who handed him the diamond scarf pin and also the gold watch chain produced. After they had been identified by Mr. Gray, he said to prisoner “You will be further charged with stealing between the 22^nd and 26^th August, from a bedroom at the London and Paris Hotel, a five stone diamond ring, a three stone diamond ring, a signet ring, a gold Albert chain and pendant, and a diamond scarf pin”. He cautioned the prisoner, who said “I admit taking the whole of the articles, except the three stone diamond ring. I pawned one ring in London for £9. You will find the other ring and gold pendant in the urinal of the Guildhall Vaults”. Witness went there, and in the presence of Filmer he found the articles on the top of the cistern. They were also identified by Gray. On Monday he proceeded to London, accompanied by Gray, and went to Davison Bros., pawnbrokers, 59, Cheapside, where he was shown the five stone diamond ring, which was identified by Mr. Gray as his property.

Walter John Morris, assistant in the employ of Davison Bros., said the prisoner, to the best of his belief, pledged the ring. Prisoner came to the shop the first time on August 27^th, when he left the ring produced. Prisoner then asked for £8 on it, so he lent it to him. He gave the name of H. Harvey, of 76, Gower Street, and witness handed him a ticket. Prisoner again came on August 29^th, and asked for a further loan of £1 on the ring, and he lent it to him. The man gave him the ticket he received on the Monday, and witness handed him the duplicate of the ticket produced.

Mr. Gray, re-called, identified the ring produced by Mr. Morris as his property.

Prisoner said he called at Mr. Gray`s on Wednesday about half past five, and he told him he could sleep up in his room. They stayed up until the early hours of the morning, having some refreshment, and then went off to bed. He half undressed, and he saw the drawer in his room was a little open. As he waited for Mr. Gray to come up he had a look in the drawer and took the things mentioned except the three stone ring. He put them in his pocket. He got into bed and woke up about half past seven in the morning, and looked round for Mr. Gray and he found he had not slept there all night. He, therefore, thought he was in the wrong room. He put on his things and went downstairs, and Mr. Gray told him he had not been up to bed. He had a little refreshment, and put his hand in his pocket and found the jewellery. He did not know what to do with it, so he hid them all at first. He asked Mr. Filmer, as he had not got any money, and he lent him what he wanted, and he (the prisoner) asked him to keep them as security. Of course he pawned the five stone ring. If he had been sober he would not have done such a thing.

The prisoner was then committed for trial at the next Quarter Sessions, bail being offered, himself in £50, and two sureties of £25 each.

Folkestone Daily News 8-10-1906

Quarter Sessions

Monday, October 8^th: Before J.C. Lewis Coward Esq.

Hugh Murray Taylor, a young man very respectably connected, who was committed by the Folkestone Justices on September 7^th, was charged with going to Mr. Gray`s, at the Paris Hotel, for the purpose of obtaining apartments for his friends. As Mr. Gray was unable to accommodate him, being very full at the time, prisoner was allowed to sleep in the prosecutor`s own bedroom. During the night accused stole a quantity of jewellery. On the next day he was accommodated with board and apartments, and shortly afterwards decamped without paying. Mr. Gray applied for a warrant to arrest him on a charge of obtaining board and lodgings under false pretences, and subsequently discovered that he had also stolen the jewellery. Hence the first charge was abandoned and the second one proceeded with.

It transpired in evidence that the prisoner had pawned one of the rings with a London jeweller, and some pins he left with Mr. Filmer, of the Guildhall Tavern, as security for some money he had borrowed. A document was found on him to the effect that he left certain goods with Mr. Filmer as security for a debt of 12s., and if the debt was not paid the goods were to be forfeited. The goods were worth several pounds.

Mr. Matthews prosecuted, and recited the facts that were heard before the Justices.

The Chief Constable deposed that the prisoner`s father had given him a good education, but he had thrown his chances away, and he was forbidden in his father`s house. He was the associate of prostitutes, bullies, and thieves, and had broken into his father`s house and stolen plated goods.

His father had written asking for leniency, and said he would be sent to Canada.

He was sentenced to 3 months` hard labour.

Folkestone Express 13-10-1906

Quarter Sessions

Monday, October 8^th: Before John Charles Lewis Coward Esq.

Hugh Murray Taylor, 22, described as a stationer, was charged with stealing a five stone diamond ring, a three stone diamond ring, a gold signet ring, a gold Albert chain, a gold tassel, and a diamond and sapphire scarf pin, to the value of £32, the property of George Barclay Gray, of the London and Paris hotel, on August 23^rd. Prisoner pleaded Guilty.

Mr. Matthew, on behalf of the prosecution, said the prisoner seemed to have taken a room at the hotel on August 23^rd. In the room he occupied there were various valuable articles of jewellery. Taylor seemed to have opened the drawer and to have taken them out, and afterwards left the hotel without paying his bill. The things were not missed for a few days, and when the prisoner was apprehended, it appeared he had handed one of the rings to a man named Filmer, the landlord of the Guildhall Vaults, who lent him 12/6 on it, because the man represented he had lost his money at the races. He had also hidden some of the jewellery on the same premises, and others he pledged with a pawnbroker in London.

Prisoner handed in a statement to the Recorder, in which he said he went to Folkestone races on August 22^nd. He went to the hotel, and Mr. Gray told him he could have a room. Four or five of them sat up drinking, and when he went to bed he was the worse for drink. He took the jewellery out of a drawer and put it in his pocket. He, however, did not touch the three stone diamond ring. Next morning he found the jewellery in his pocket when he got downstairs, and he did not know what to do with it. He hid some of it, and pawned some of it. He would not have done it if he had been sober. It was the first time he had been locked up. He had promised his mother and father he would turn over a new leaf. He was going abroad in order to get an honest living. He would do nothing wrong again.

The Chief Constable said the prisoner`s father was a very respectable man living in London, and kept a boarding house in Torrington Square. He had given prisoner a good education, and his parents had done everything the possibly could to keep him right. Witness had learnt from the Metropolitan Police that he had been denied his own home, and that his parents would not have anything to do with him He was the associate of betting men, prostitutes, and bullies. He had been a great nuisance to his parents. A few nights before his arrest, prisoner had broken in and robbed his father`s own house, and the property stolen had been found in pledge in London.

Prisoner said he was very sorry for what he had done.

The Recorder, addressing the prisoner, said he had received a letter from his father, who asked him to deal as leniently as he could with him, and arrangements would be made to send him to Canada. Those arrangements could be made while he was in prison, and in the meantime he would be imprisoned with hard labour for three calendar months.

The pawnbroker`s assistant asked if the ring was to be paid for before it was returned to the owner.

The Recorder said there were no grounds for blaming the pawnbroker in that case, and he should leave the matter to be arranged by the two parties.

Folkestone Herald 13-10-1906

Quarter Sessions

Monday, October 8^th: Before J.C. Lewis Coward Esq.

Hugh Murray Taylor was indicted for stealing, in the dwelling house of George Barclay Gray, one five stone diamond ring, one three stone diamond ring, one gold signet ring, one gold Albert chain, one gold tassel, and one diamond and sapphire scarf pin, together valued at £32, the property of the said George Barclay Gray, at Folkestone, on the 23^rd August, 1906.

Mr. Theodore Matthew appeared for the Crown, and described how prisoner went to the London and Paris Hotel, and how, after leaving the hotel without payment, the jewellery enumerated in the charge was missed. He went on to recount how prisoner had hidden some of the articles, and how he had borrowed money from Mr. Filmer.

Prisoner handed a written statement to the Recorder. In this he said that on the 22^nd August he came to Folkestone for the races, and Mr. Gray put him up. They stayed up with several others drinking, and when he went to his room he saw the articles in a drawer. He had been drinking, and put them in his pocket. Next morning he went down to breakfast and found all the articles, about which he had forgotten, in his pocket. He did not know what to do with them. That was the first time he had been in trouble. He had promised his mother to turn over a new leaf, and he was going abroad.

The Chief Constable, in reply to the Recorder, said that the prisoner`s father was a very respectable man, keeping a boarding house in Torrington Square. He had given the prisoner a good education; in fact, the parents had done everything they could for him. For some considerable time he had been denied his own home. Prisoner had been the associate of betting man, prostitutes, and bullies, and was the source of great trouble to his parents. A few night before he committed the robbery in Folkestone he broke into and robbed his father`s own house, and that property had since been found in pledge in London.

Prisoner said he was sorry for what he had done. It was his first offence, and he never intended to do anything of the kind again.

The Recorder: I have had a letter from your father, in which he asks me to deal as leniently as I can with you, pending your being sent to friends in Canada directly you are free. Arrangements may be made by your friends, but you will be imprisoned for three calendar months.

Folkestone Daily News 31-12-1906

Quarter Sessions

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

The Recorder asked Mr. De Wet to step into Counsel`s seat. Addressing the solicitor, the Recorder said: At the last Quarter Sessions of this Court, a man, Hugh Murray Taylor, pleaded Guilty to stealing some things at the Paris Hotel, in this borough. I received a letter from the accused`s father, stating that if I dealt leniently with him the accused would be sent out of the country. Upon that I sentenced the man to three months` hard labour. I now learn that the man at the expiration of his sentence (in February) is about to be arrested for illegally pawning. When giving sentence I made no order as to the restitution of the jewellery, leaving it to the pawnbroker and Mr. Gray. This proposed step seems to me to be a high-handed proceeding.

Mr. De Wet said that he represented Mr. Gray, and after the Recorder`s sentence he wrote to Messrs. Attenborough for the return of the rings and asked what they required. Messrs. Attenborough replied £4 10s. 0d. (half the amount for which they were pledged). He (Mr. De Wet) knowing Mr. Gray had already been put to great expense, advised an offer of £2 10s. 0d. This was refused. Subsequently he wrote to Messrs. Attenborough, pointing out that as no order was made, under Section 30 of the Pawnbrokers` Act his client could demand the ring without payment.

The Recorder: Then the proposed proceedings appear to be spiteful.

Mr. De Wet: I quite agree. It seems that Messrs. Attenborough wish to give Mr. Gray further trouble.

The Recorder: Your client has done everything that is legal and proper. The offer of 50s. is one that I should have made, had I have made an order. I hope the members of the Press will take notice of the case, and that copies of the papers will be laid before the committing Magistrate if the accused is re-arrested.

Folkestone Express 5-1-1907

Quarter Sessions

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

Before proceeding with the ordinary business the Recorder called Mr. De Wet forward. He said that at the last Quarter Sessions a man was brought before him, and he pleaded guilty in the name of Hugh Murray Taylor to stealing some articles from the Paris Hotel, and he (the Recorder) received before sentencing him a letter from his father, asking for a merciful sentence on the ground that he was going to send his son out of the country to Canada. He took that and all the circumstances into consideration, and that the rings had been pawned immediately by the man, and sentenced him to three months` hard labour. He had learned that the young man was about to be re-arrested, when all arrangements had been made for him to be sent abroad, on his leaving Canterbury on January 7^th, on a charge of illegally pawning the diamond ring which he was charged with stealing. He had refreshed his memory from his notes of the case, and found that he had made no order as to the detention of the property, leaving it to Mr. Gray, the owner of the property, and the pawnbroker to come to an arrangement, and it came to him as a matter of some surprise to find that such a high-handed procedure should be about to be taken in the matter. He then asked Mr. De Wet if any arrangements had been made between his client (Mr. Gray) and the pawnbroker.

Mr. De Wet said as soon as the case was over application was made for the return of the ring. The solicitors for the pawnbrokers, Messrs. Attenborough and Sons, agreed to return it if the sum of £4 10s. was paid, that being half the amount advanced. Mr. Gray, who had already been a great sufferer and had lost about £12 outside the question of the ring, made an offer to pay 50s. That offer as not accepted, and Mr. Gray came to consult him. He wrote Messrs. Attenborough a very long letter, simply withdrawing the offer and saying that they had no title to the ring, and unless it was handed over at once he should take proceedings for the recovery of it. He also pointed out that under Section 30 of the Pawnbrokers Act there was a discretion for that Court to make an order, but he contended that as he (the Recorder) had made no order the property should be handed to Mr. Gray. They evidently considered that letter, and they wrote suggesting that he should advise Mr. Gray to again make his former offer of 50s. He consulted Mr. Gray, who said, rather than have the trouble of making an application to that Court, he would offer 50s. He (Mr. De Wet) wrote to them, and they accepted that amount, and gave him an order from the Chief Constable to hand it over to them. He should think that the proceeding referred to by the Recorder were brought out of spite because Mr. Gray would then be put to further trouble in having to go to London to give evidence.

The Recorder said he thought that Mr. Gray had done everything reasonable and proper. The sum offered by him would have been something about the amount he would have fixed. He saw no foundation for any further charge being brought against the man, and he sincerely trusted when the case came on in London, copies of the newspapers containing reports of the case would be laid before the committing Magistrates.

Folkestone Daily News 8-8-1907

Wednesday, August 7^th: Before Messrs. Spurgen, Vaughan, Stainer, Ames, and Fynmore.

Thomas Wilson was charged with being drunk and disorderly in South Street yesterday.

P.C. Chaney said at 1.10 in the afternoon he saw the prisoner very drunk and using obscene language. He was refused drink in one public house, and afterwards went into the Paris Hotel, where witness told the barmaid not to serve him.

P.S. Dawson said the prisoner was brought in at 5.30 last night. Prisoner had 11½d. on him.

Prisoner admitted that he was a little the worse for drink, but did not use obscene language. He was down for a few days holiday.

The Chairman said the case would be dismissed, and he hoped the prisoner would be a wiser man in future. 

Folkestone Daily News 22-1-1908

Wednesday, January 22^nd: Before Messrs Ward, Herbert, Vaughan, Carpenter, Leggett, Ames, Boyd, and Fynmore.

Mr. De Wet made an application in respect to the London and Paris Hotel, where certain alterations were proposed to be made, the principal alteration being on the ground floor. He submitted plans showing the proposed alterations, which the Magistrates, after inspection, approved of, and allowed the application.

 

Folkestone Express 25-1-1908

Wednesday, January 22^nd: Before E.T. Ward Esq., Alderman Vaughan, Lieut. Colonel Hamilton, Major Leggett, W.C. Carpenter, W.G. Herbert, T. Ames, R.J. Linton and G. Boyd Esqs.

Mr. De Wet mad an application for the Justices` sanction to plans for alterations at the London and Paris Hotel. He produced the plans and said he made his application under Section 11 of the 1902 Act.

The Magistrates inspected the plans, and the Chairman said the alterations seemed to be an improvement.

Mr. De Wet said he thought he might point out that instead of five entrances there would only be four if the alterations were carried out. Another special point was that if a man entered one bar he would have to come out of the house by the same entrance, whereas at present a person could go in the bar and walk into the billiard room, and out by the entrance to that room.

The Chairman said they would sanction the alterations.

Folkestone Herald 25-1-1908

Wednesday, January 22^nd: Before Mr. E.T. Ward, Alderman T.J. Vaughan, Messrs. W.G. Herbert, W.C. Carpenter, T. Ames, and G. Boyd.

A special session was held for transferring alehouse licences.

Mr. De Wet said that he had an application to make in respect of the London and Paris Hotel. Plans had been deposited, and he asked the Magistrates to refer to them, and then they would see the exact alterations proposed to be made. He produced plans showing the premises as they looked before the alteration, and also as they would look after the alteration, which he was going to ask them to allow. He pointed out that instead of having five entrances there would only be four, and if a person entered by a certain door he would have to go out at the same door.

The Bench approved of the plans.

Folkestone Daily News 1-12-1909

Wednesday, December 1^st: Before Justices Herbert, Stainer, Leggett, Fynmore, Swoffer, and Linton.

The plans of proposed alterations to the London and Paris Hotel were amended.

Folkestone Express 4-12-1909

Wednesday, December 1^st: Before Mr. W.G. Herbert, Lieut. Colonel Fynmore, Major Leggett, and Messrs. J. Stainer, R.J. Linton, and G.I. Swoffer.

Permission was granted to amend plans passed some 18 months ago in regard to the London and Paris Hotel.