Clarendon Hotel 1930 - 1934

Folkestone Herald 28-11-1931

Local News

The Folkestone Magistrates on Tuesday granted a protection order to Mr. W.A.J. Taylor, of Cliftonville, Margate, in respect of the Clarendon Hotel, Tontine Street.

Folkestone Express 2-1-1932

Thursday, December 24^th: Before The Mayor and Colonel G.P. Owen.

John Lancaster, a private in the 5^th Royal Berkshire Regiment, stationed at Shorncliffe, was charged with being drunk and disorderly in Tontine Street at 8.45 p.m. on the previous night. Prisoner pleaded Not Gulity to being drunk and Guilty to being disorderly.

P.C. Whitehead said at 8.40 the previous evening he was at the bottom of High Street in company with Chief inspector Pittock and P.C. Bailey, when he saw the prisoner with eight other soldiers coming down High Street drunk. They were shouting and kicking their hats about in the street. They went to them and told them to be quiet, and prisoner said “Come along boys, take no notice of them”. They proceeded to the Clarendon Hotel where they were refused drink by the landlord. They continued up Tontine Street and prisoner kept shouting “Take no notice of them. They can`t touch us”. At the bus stop by Mr. Wood`s shop, witness advised the men to get on a bus and eight of them did so. With Chief Inspector Pittock, he took prisoner into custody. He became violent and at the station he was abusive and refused to be searched.

Prisoner: That constable never spoke to me a word.

Witness said he did. Had it not been for the prisoner`s conduct, the eight men would have got on a bus at the bottom of High Street and gone away quietly.

Chief Inspector Pittock gave corroborative evidence. He also said prior to those incidents he saw prisoner in Sandgate Road, and he was drunk then. He was taking off other soldiers` hats and kicking them in the street. He told prisoner to try to keep the others quiet, and the prisoner kept saying “Come on, let`s enjoy ourselves. He cannot touch us”. It was some years since he had seen such conduct in the streets of Folkestone.

P.C. Bailey also gave corroborative evidence. When at the bottom of High Street he advised the men to get on a bus, and eight of them walked towards the bus standard, when prisoner called out “Come on back, they cannot touch us”. They then went to the Clarendon Hotel.

Defendant said at ten minutes to six he was detailed to be at the Mess for the farewell to the India draft going away that (Thursday) morning. He was there until a quarter to eight. He then changed into civilian clothes and went into the canteen and had one pint and left at ten past eight. He went to Sandgate and had one pint there. Some of the draft then said they were going to Folkestone and he said he would go along with them to see that they did not do any damage. They came down to the Town hall. They were singing but they did not do any damage. Coming down High street, the Chief Inspector slapped one of the fellows. He (prisoner) resented that and he told him they were all right and that they were going away in the morning. He (Chief Inspector Pittock) wanted to split the party, and he (prisoner) said “Come along, we will go away”. They went to get a bus and the police were on one side of the road and they were on the other. The bus came, and he said “Come on, get in”. The Chief Inspector came to get hold of the roughest, and he (prisoner) said “Come on, let me get hold of him”, and the Chief Inspector said “Arrest him”, and they arrested him. Coming up to the police station, one of the constables had hold of his arm and nearly broke it, and he resented it.

The Magistrates` Clerk (Mr. C. Rootes): You say you were not drunk?

Prisoner: No, sir. I could stand eleven or twelve pints of beer.

An officer of prisoner`s regiment said the prisoner was a very good soldier, but he did occasionally do very silly things. About once a year he broke out and did something stupid, but he hda a good character from a civilian point of view. He thought in that case he was trying to do his best in a thorough muddle-headed manner. He did not think he wanted to misbehave in Folkestone. He had six and a half years` service. The others were going on draft and they were having a final fling on their last day in England for five or six years.

The Chairman: Misdirected zeal.

The officer: Probably, sir.

The Chairman said the case had been proved against the prisoner. The civil authorities could not allow a number of soldiers to behave in that way, and they must visit him with some punishment. He would be fined 10s.

Folkestone Herald 2-1-1932

Local News

“It is some years since I have seen such conduct in the streets of Folkestone” said Chief Inspector Pittock, of the Folkestone Police, when giving evidence at the Folkestone Police Court on Christmas Eve, when John Lancaster, a soldier, was charged with being drunk and disorderly the previous night.

Lancaster, who pleaded Not Guilty to being drunk, but Guilty to being disorderly, was fined 10s.

Police Constable Whitehead said at 8.40 the previous evening he was at the bottom of High Street, in company with Chief inspector Pittock and Police Constable Bailey when he saw Lancaster and eight other soldiers coming down the street. They were shouting and kicking their hats about in the street. They stopped and warned them and told them to be quiet. Prisoner, however, said “Come along boys, take no notice of them”. They then went to the Clarendon Hotel, where they were refused drink by the landlord. They continued up Tontine Street and Lancaster kept shouting “Take no notice of them, they can`t touch us”. At the bus stop by Wood`s he advised them to get on the next bus for the Camp, and they did so, but Lancaster was taken into custody. He became violent, and at the police station he was abusive and refused to be searched.

Lancaster said the witness never spoke to him at all.

Chief Inspector Pittock, who gave corroborative evidence, said prior to the incident he saw prisoner in Sandgate Road and he was drunk then. He was taking off the other soldiers` hats and kicking them in the street. He told prisoner to try and keep the others quiet and he kept saying “Come along, let`s enjoy ourselves. He can`t touch us”. Witness added that prisoner went through George Lane still creating a disturbance, and a lady`s cycle was knocked over. People had to get out of the men`s way. He addressed his remarks to Lancaster and told him to keep the others quiet. “It is some years” added witness, “since I have seen such conduct in the streets of Folkestone”. The Inspector added that he was in plain clothes at the time.

Lancaster said he picked up the cycle which was knocked down.

Police Constable Bailey corroborated.

Lancaster said that evening he was in the dining hall from ten minutes to six until a quarter to eight o`clock. He then changed into civilian clothes, had one pint, and went down to Sandgate, where he had another. At Sandgate he saw some of the draft who were going off to India the next day. They were going to Folkestone and he joined them because he did not want any trouble. He saw Chief Inspector Pittock when they got off the bus at Folkestone. They were singing, but they were not doing any damage. He was helping get the others on the bus when he was arrested. The inspector was trying to get one of the men on the bus and he told him to let him get the man on because he knew he would do more for him than the police officer. The inspector then told one of the constables to arrest him. Lancaster added that he could not have been drunk. He had only had two pints of beer and he was a man who could stand 10 or 12 pints.

An officer of the Berkshire Regiment said Lancaster was a very good soldier but he did occasionally do very silly things. Once or twice a year he broke out and did something stupid. He had a good character from a civilian point of view. He suggested that prisoner was trying to do his best in a thoroughly muddle-headed manner. The other men were on draft and they were having a final fling in Folkestone.

The Mayor, who was in the Chair: A case of misdirected zeal.

The Mayor added that they considered the case proved. The civilian authorities could not allow a group of soldiers to come down into the town and carry on in this way. Prisoner would be fined 10s.

Folkestone Express 1-10-1932

Friday, September 23^rd: Before Alderman R.G. Wood, Miss A.M. Hunt, and Eng. Rear Admiral L.J. Stephens.

William Whiting was summoned for using obscene language in Tontine Street. Defendant did not appear when the case opened.

William Alfred James Taylor, licensee of the Clarendon Hotel, said on September 16^th, at 10.35 p.m., he was in the bar clearing up. The premises were closed. He heard the front door bell ring. Subsequently he saw two faces peering through the window. He went outside and asked the men to go away. One of the men was Whiting. He used some obscene remarks in a very nasty, aggressive voice. It was on the pavement and women were about and must have heard. A similar incident had occurred many times before. The men were barred from his public house and he had given them a reason.

The Chief Constable (Mr. A.S. Beesley) said the defendant had been before the Court six times before.

Defendant appeared in Court at this juncture.

The Magistrates` Clerk (Mr. C. Rootes): You were summoned to be here at eleven o`clock.

Defendant: I have been looking for work, sir.

The Clerk: How long have you been looking for work?

Defendant: All the morning, sir.

When charged, defendant pleaded Not Guilty. He denied using the words alleged, and said he could stay in Tontine Street if he wanted to. The trouble arose through some soldiers calling to Mr. Taylor.

William Whitworth, a barman at the Clarendon Hotel, gave corroborative evidence.

Defendant said he had been to the pictures and had then had a fish and chip supper. Some soldiers were outside the Clarendon calling to defendant and then ran away. He would not run away and Mr. Taylor came out and said “Hello, you lazy vagabond, you want to move on”. He told him he had a perfect right to stand there. Taylor was three parts drunk, and he (defendant) had not had a drink.

The Chief Constable said defendant`s was not a very savoury record.

A fine of 10s. was imposed, leviable by distress, or seven days` imprisonment. A week was allowed in which to pay.

Folkestone Express 17-12-1932

Local News

On Monday at the Folkestone Police Court the Magistrates heard applications for extensions of licences at the hotels and Corporation places of entertainment, and they granted the requests so far as licences to sell intoxicating drink was concerned. There will be one hour`s extension on Christmas Eve, Boxing Day, and New Years`s Eve at practically all the licensed houses.

The Magistrates on the Bench were Alderman R.G. Wood, Dr. W.W. Nuttall, Miss A.M. Hunt, Mrs. E. Gore, Mr. W. Smith, Mr. J.H. Blamey and Mr. F. Seager.

The Magistrates` Clerk (Mr. C. Rootes) said the Magistrates had a list of the applications so far as he knew them before them.

Mr. B.H. Bonniface, who appeared on behalf of the Folkestone Licensed Victuallers` Association, said the authorities had been notified of numerous applications.

An occasional licence was granted to Mr. Taylor, Clarendon Hotel, to sell at the Marine Gardens Pavilion on December 26^th until 1.30 a.m. on the occasion of the annual ball of the Folkestone Equitable Cricket Club.

Folkestone Herald 17-12-1932

Local News

The Folkestone Magistrates on Monday, at a special sitting, extended the licensing hours of a number of local hotels to 1 a.m. in connection with the New Year`s Eve celebrations.

The licences of Folkestone public houses, with the exception of six, were also extended on Christmas Eve, Boxing Day, and New Year`s Eve from 10 p.m. to 11 p.m.

The Magistrates were: Alderman R.G. Wood, Mr. J.H. Blamey, Dr. W.W. Nuttall, Miss A.M. Hunt, Mrs. E. Gore, Mr. F. Seager, Eng. Rear Admiral L.J. Stephens, and Mr. W. Smith.

Mr. W. Taylor, of the Clarendon Hotel, was granted a licence in respect of the Marine Gardens Pavilion, on December 26^th to 1.30 a.m. on the occasion of the annual dance of the Folkestone Equitable Cricket Club.

Folkestone Express 30-9-1933

Monday, September 25rh: Before R.G. Wood Esq., and Eng. Rear Admiral L.J. Stephens.

A disturbance in Tontine Street on Saturday night was the subject of Police Court proceedings on Monday, when two well-known Folkestone men, William Whiting and Alfred Butler, both from the fishing quarter, were charged with being drunk and disorderly. The case against each prisoner was dealt with separately, Whiting appearing in the dock first.

P.S. Thorne said at 9.25 p.m. on Saturday he was in Harbour Street, when the landlord of the Clarendon Hotel made a complaint, and in consequence of what he said he went into Tontine Street. Outside the Clarendon Hotel he saw the prisoner with another man, both drunk. They each had a rabbit in their hand, and were standing about on the path and preventing foot passengers getting free passage. They were also speaking in loud voices. Witness advised them to go away, and Whiting said “Look here, why can`t we go in here?” and pointed to the Clarendon Hotel. Witness gave him three chances to go away, and prisoner refused to do so. He then brought him to the police station and charged him, and he replied “All right”.

P.C. Fry said at 9.25 on Saturday evening last he was on duty in Harbour Street with P.S. Thorne, when the landlord of the Clarendon Hotel came and made a complaint about two men making a disturbance outside his house. He accompanied P.S. Thorne to the premises, and on three occasions the Sergeant asked the men to desist, and they refused. The Sergeant then arrested Whiting.

Mr. William A. James Taylor, licensee of the Clarendon Hotel, Tontine Street, said he knew Whiting, because he had had occasion to bar him the house. Whiting came there on Saturday night and made use of obscene expressions to him for no reason at all. He (witness) was standing outside his house at the time, as he frequently did, and on that particular occasion the prisoner made use of obscene language to him, which he had done several times before. Prisoner was under the influence of drink and his actions were disorderly. He made a complaint to the police.

Whiting, addressing the Bench, said he went out on Saturday evening at half past seven and had a few drinks. He had about four pints, and went and bought a rabbit. He was going by Mr. Taylor`s place at the Clarendon when his mate stopped and talked to two chaps. Mr. Taylor said “Go on, home you go, Whiting”. He said “What right have you to tell people to go home, you big stiff? You don`t own Tontine Street”. With that, Mr. Taylor said “I will get you put up top”, and he turned round and ran and got a policeman, otherwise they would have gone home.

The Chairman: That does not alter the case that you were drunk and disorderly.

The Magistrates` Clerk (Mr. C. Rootes): You have not said anything about what happened when the Sergeant came along.

Whiting: The Sergeant said he advised me to go home, but I never had a chance to go home. He grabbed me and brought me up here.

The Chairman: He says he gave you three chances.

Whiting: I don`t think he did, but you can take his word for it.

The Chairman: This man has been here before, I think. What have you to say about it, Chief?

The Chief Constable (Mr. A.S. Beesley) said that if the Bench had decided that Whiting was Guilty, he would like them to hear the other case before dealing with the prisoner.

Butler was then placed in the dock and charged, and he pleaded Not Guilty.

P.S. Thorne said at 9.25 p.m. on Saturday he was in Harbour Street, when the landlord of the Clarendon Hotel made a complaint, and in consequence of what he was told he went to the Clarendon. On the pavement he saw Butler, together with the last prisoner. They were stopping free passage on the footpath, and were speaking in rather loud voices, flourishing a rabbit about.

The Chairman: Each one?

Witness: Yes, sir.

Proceeding, witness said he advised the prisoner to go away, telling him to do so three times. Prisoner said “I can stand here, and no-one can shift me. I can stand here as long as I like”. He then took the last prisoner into custody, and P.C. Fry took Butler.

P.C. Fry, giving corroborative evidence, said that on the way to the police station Butler became very violent and threw him to the ground twice. With assistance, prisoner was brought to the station, where he charged him with being drunk and disorderly, and he replied “All right”.

In reply to the prisoner, witness said he was not standing in front of Stevenson`s, but in front of the Clarendon.

Butler: You started pushing me and told me to go home, and I said “No”.

Witness: I did not push you.

Replying to the Clerk, witness said the prisoner was able to stand up straight, but he was drunk. He was standing in front of the Hotel, flourishing a rabbit about.

Mr. Taylor gave evidence that he had also barred Butler from the Clarendon Hotel. On Saturday night he was outside the house when Butler came along and flourished a rabbit in his face. Prisoner, who was in company with the last prisoner, did not say anything.

The Clerk: Any questions?

Butler: No, Sir. That`s right.

Prisoner said on Saturday night he called for Whiting and asked him if he was going to get a drink. They went into the True Briton and had three drinks and a game of darts. They were then going home, but on the way Whiting started talking to Mr. Taylor at the Clarendon, and had a row. He walked on, because he did not want to get into it. He was by Stevenson`s the tobacconist`s, when they came and brought him up to the police station, and he had been there since Saturday night.

The Chairman: It would have been better for you to go away, and take the advice of the police.

Prisoner: I did not want to cause any trouble. I have been in trouble before, and I am old enough to know now.

The Chief Constable (Mr. A.S. Beesley) said Butler had been before that Court, as no doubt the Bench were well aware, over and over again, and considerable leniency had been exercised by the Bench, and also, he might say, by the police. As recently as the 25^th May last year at that Court he was fined 10s. for being drunk and disorderly, and previous to that he had twelve separate convictions, some for larceny, and one or two for being drunk and disorderly. The man was a nuisance. Both prisoners were, in fact, a nuisance when they got a little drink in them, and in particular they were a nuisance to that particular licensee, who had done what other licensees would have to do, barred them from the house. What he had said with regard to Butler, applied also to Whiting. He was before that Court with Butler, charged with being drunk and disorderly in May last year, and on that occasion he was discharged. There were some felony charges against him and two or three cases of drunk and disorderly. He had had eight convictions, and Butler had had fifteen.

The Clerk (Mr. C. Rootes) said the last conviction recorded against Whiting was in 1921.

The Chairman, addressing the prisoners, said they had been there several times, both of them, and they were giving a lot of trouble to people down in Tontine Street. Leniency had been shown to them, both by the Bench and the police, and the last time Butler was fined there was difficulty in getting the money. They would be sent to prison for one month with hard labour.

Folkestone Herald 30-9-1933

Local News

A scene in Tontine Street on Saturday night resulted in the appearance at the Folkestone Police Court on Monday of two Folkestone men, William Whiting and Alfred A. Butler, on a charge of being drunk and disorderly. The cases excited considerable interest, the public part of the court being filled.

The Magistrates were: Alderman R.G. Wood and Rear Admiral L.J. Stephens.

Both men were found Guilty and sentenced to a month`s hard labour.

The case of Whiting was taken first. He pleaded Not Guilty.

Sergeant Thorne stated that at 9.25 on Saturday evening he was in Harbour Street when the landlord of the Clarendon Hotel made a complaint to him. In consequence of what he said he went into Tontine Street, and outside the Clarendon Hotel he saw Whiting with another man. They were both drunk, and they were obstructing the free use of the footway. Whiting was waving a rabbit about. Witness said when he advised Whiting to go home he replied “Look here, I want to know why we can`t go in there”, pointing to the Clarendon Hotel. He gave prisoner three chances to go away, but he refused to do so. He then took Whiting into custody and brought him to the police station, where he said “All right” when charged.

P.C. Fry, who was in the company of the last witness, gave corroborative evidence. He said that both men were drunk.

William A.J. Taylor, the licensee of the Clarendon Hotel, said he knew Whiting, and he had had cause to bar him from his house. Whiting came outside the premises on Saturday night and made use of obscene expressions to witness for no reason whatever. He (witness) was standing outside his house. Whiting was under the influence of drink and his actions were disorderly. Witness made a complaint to the police.

Whiting told the Magistrates that he had gone out at 7.30 on Saturday night. He had had a few drinks and then he bought a rabbit. As he was going past Mr. Taylor`s place with Butler the latter stopped and spoke to two other men. Mr. Taylor then said “Go on, Whiting, home you go”. He replied “What right have you got to tell people to go home, you big stiff? You don`t own Tontine Street”. With that Taylor said “I will get you put up top”. Whiting said they would have gone home all right if Taylor had not interfered. He alleged that Taylor always caused arguments between them. The police sergeant advised him to go home, but he never had a chance. He grabbed him and brought him to the police station.

The Chairman: The Sergeant said he gave you three chances.

Whiting: I don`t think he did.

The Chairman: He says he did.

Whiting: Well, I will take his word for it then.

The Chairman: We are satisfied that you were drunk and disorderly. We will deal with you later.

Butler was then charged with being drunk and disorderly at the same time. He also pleaded Not Guilty.

Sergeant Thorne, who repeated his evidence, said Butler was obstructing the footway and swinging a rabbit about. He advised Butler to go away, and he said “I can stay here. I can stay here as long as I like, and no-one can shift me”.

P.C. Fry, who corroborated, said when he was bringing Butler to the police station he became very violent in High Street and threw him to the ground twice.

Butler (to witness): Where was I standing? – In front of the Clarendon Hotel.

Butler: No, I was not. I was outside Stevenson`s, the tobacconists.

Prisoner: You came up and told me to move? – Yes.

And then you started pushing me? – No.

The Clerk (Mr. C. Rootes): Did you (P.C. Fry) tell him to go? – The Sergeant did.

The Chairman: Was he under the influence of drink? – He was drunk.

Mr. Taylor, the licensee of the Clarendon Hotel, also gave further evidence. He stated that he had barred prisoner from his house. On this night Butler flashed a rabbit in his face, but he did not say anything to him.

Butler said he called for Whiting on Saturday night, and they went to the True Briton public house where they had some drinks and played a game of darts. They were on their way home when this occurred. He denied that he was drunk; he knew what he was doing.

The Clerk: It is said that you were told to go away on three occasions.

Butler: I was doing no harm.

The Chairman: It would have been better if you had taken the advice of the police and gone away.

The Chief Constable (Mr. A.S. Beesley) said Butler had been before the Court over and over again, and considerable leniency had been exercised by the Bench, and also, if he might say so, by the police. As recently as May 25^th he was fined 10s. by the Court for being drunk and disorderly. Previous to that they had 12 convictions, some for larceny and one or two for drunkenness. Both men were a nuisance when they got a little drink in them, and particularly were they a nuisance to this particular licensee. What he had said in regard to Butler also applied to Whiting. Whiting was charged with being drunk and disorderly at the Court in May, but he was discharged with a caution. Altogether there were eight convictions against him.

The Clerk: The last conviction against him for being drunk and disorderly was in 1921. There had been other convictions since, one in September of last year for obscene language.

The Chairman said both men had been there several times. They had given a lot of trouble to people down in that particular part of town. Leniency had been shown to them on a number of occasions. Last time Butler was fined 10s., but a great deal of difficulty was experienced in collecting the fine. This time both men would go to prison for a month with hard labour.

Folkestone Express 20-1-1934

Tuesday, January 16^th: Before Alderman G. Spurgen, Dr. W.W. Nuttall, Mrs. E. Gore, and Mr. W. Hollands.

James Gallagher, of the Royal Artillery, stationed at Ross Barracks, Shorncliffe, was summoned for committing wilful damage by breaking the glass of a show case, value 4s., the property of Miss Fitch, Rendezvous Street, Folkestone.

Gunner Thomas J. Munnions, of the Royal Artillery, stationed at Ross Barracks, Shorncliffe, said on Friday evening between eight and half past he met defendant in Sandgate, when accompanied by another man. They came to Folkestone and went to the Clarendon Hotel, Tontine Street, staying there until ten o`clock. They then went to the supper bar for supper, and then came up Tontine Street. Gallagher`s behaviour was all right and he was not drunk. The third man went away and Gallagher was with him (witness). They came together up Dover Road to Rendezvous Street, and at the top he was ahead of him. He (witness) saw a young lady, to whom he spoke, Gallagher being some distance behind. He heard a smash and Gallagher then came up to them and said he was catching a bus home. He then went away. A constable came and spoke to him. Eventually he made a statement at the police station.

Frederick George Hastings, 15 Saffron`s Place, Folkestone, said on Friday evening he was going down Rendezvous Street at twenty minutes to eleven, near the Prince Albert, and he saw two fellows, one trying to pull the other back. The men were in civilian clothes. The shorter of the two got away, and struck the window in the “Value Shop” with his fist, breaking it. The other man walked away up the street and talked to a young lady. He recognised the last witness as the other man, but not the defendant.

Miss D.O. Fitch, proprietress of the “Value Shop”, 44, Rendezvous Street, said at eight o`clock on Friday evening the shop was all right. About twelve o`clock she was called to the shop and found that the glass of a show case had been broken and the damage amounted to 4s.

P.C. Fry said at 10.50 p.m. on Friday he proceeded to Rendezvous Street, where he saw Gunner Munnions. He later proceeded with P.C. Spain to Ross Barracks, Shorncliffe, where he saw the prisoner, whom he asked whether he knew anything about the glass of a show case being broken in Rendezvous Street. He said he did not. They brought the defendant to the police station in order that further enquiries could be made.

In reply to the defendant, witness said he searched the defendant and found nothing on him.

Det. Con. Duke said at 1.45 a.m. on Saturday he saw the defendant detained at the Police Office, and told him he was making enquiries about a show case which had been damaged. He was cautioned, and he replied “I know nothing about it”. He then examined a pair of gloves the defendant was wearing, and on examining the right hand glove he found several slight cut marks. There were also three slight cuts, apparently new, on the left shoe. The cuts could have been caused by the broken glass. In consequence of certain enquiries, he charged the defendant at 12.45 p.m. that day with the offence.

P.C. Nicholls said he saw Munnions at 11.25 p.m. on Friday, and he freely gave a statement, which he took down word for word. Munnions read the statement over and made no complaint about, eventually signing it.

Gunner Munnions, re-called, said he gave the statement to P.C. Nicholls. He could not say he was quite sober. He only read a portion of the statement afterwards, but signed it.

Defendant, giving evidence, said he went to Harry`s Restaurant for supper, and after that his memory was all a blur until two constables came to the Barracks. He told the officers it was perfectly ridiculous what they said about him breaking the glass, for he knew nothing about it.

An officer said the defendant had 15 months` service and he had a clean sheet.

The Magistrates fined the defendant £1 and 5s. costs and ordered him to pay 4s., the damage.

Folkestone Herald 20-1-1934

Local News

During the hearing at Folkestone Police Court on Tuesday of a summons against a soldier for wilful damage, a pair of gloves and a shoe, the property of the accused, were produced and shown to the Magistrates. On one of the gloves, and also on the shoe, were marks and cuts which might have been made by smashing a pane of glass.

The accused, James Gallagher, of the Royal Artillery, Ross Barracks, Shorncliffe Camp, appeared on bail, and was charged with doing wilful damage to the extent of 4s.

Defendant was found Guilty, and fined £1 with 9s. costs. Defendant pleaded Not Guilty.

Gunner Thomas Munnions, of the Royal Artillery, stationed at Ross Barracks, Shorncliffe, said on January 12^th he met defendant in Sandgate between 8 and 8.30 p.m. Witness was with Driver Parsley. They came to Folkestone, and visited the Clarendon Hotel, where they had some drinks. They left there at 10 o`clock, and then went to a supper bar. After that they came up Tontine Street. There was no question of Gallagher being drunk. Parsley was in front, and they lost sight of him. As they got to the top of Dover Road, near the Savoy Cinema, witness saw a young lady and left defendant. He heard a smash just after, and then Gallagher came up to him. He did not say anything to witness, except that he was catching a bus. A police officer then came to witness and asked him if he knew anything about a smashed case. He (witness) subsequently made a statement to an officer about what he had heard and seen.

Frederick George Hastings, 15, Saffron`s Place, Folkestone, a labourer, said on the night of January 12^th, at 10.40, he was in Rendezvous Street, when he saw two men on the other side of the road. One of them appeared to be trying to pull the other one back. As he was doing so the other swung round and smashed the showcase. The men then walked up the road, and the taller one stood talking to a young lady for a few moments. He recognised Munnions as the taller man.

Miss Daisy O. Fitch, the proprietress of “The Value Shop”, 44, Rendezvous Street, said everything was intact at 8 o`clock. When she was called at midnight to the shop she found a showcase had been smashed.

P.C. Fry said at about 10.50 p.m. on January 12^th he was at the Police Office when a man named Milton reported that a showcase had been smashed by one of the two men. From what the man told him he proceeded to Ross Barracks with P.C. Spain and saw Gallagher, who said he knew nothing about the smashing of the showcase. Defendant said he had been out that night with Gunner Munnions. He brought him to the police station.

Detective Constable Duke said at 1.45 a.m. on January 13^th he saw Gallagher detained at the Police Office, and he told him he was enquiring into the matter of the damaged showcase. Defendant said “I know nothing about it”. He examined a shoe and a pair of leather gloves defendant was wearing, and on the right glove he found several cut marks. There were also three slight cuts on the left shoe. The cuts could have been caused by anything sharp. At 12.45 p.m. on January 13^th he charged defendant and he made no reply.

P.C. Nicholl said he saw Munnions at 11.45 that night and took a statement from him. After writing the statement out he gave it to Munnions to read and he made no complaint about it. He afterwards signed it.

Minnions, re-called, agreed that he gave a statement to P.C. Nicholls, but he only read part of it through afterwards.

Defendant elected to give evidence. He said after leaving the supper bar he did not remember much. After it was “all a blur”. He remembered the two constables coming to the guard room, and he told them that it was perfectly ridiculous when it was suggested that he had smashed the showcase.

An officer said accused was a good soldier and he had a clean record.