From the Kent and Sussex Courier, Wednesday 30 September 1874.

Hever. Creating a disturbance.

William Everest, a farm labourer, was charged with creating a disturbance in licensed premises, at Hever, and with using abusive language and threatening to fight, and also with refusing to leave when requested to do so.

The case was proved by Mr. Thomas Chandler, the landlord of "Henry IV," (sic) Hever, and P.C. Baker.

Superintendent Dance said the defendant had been convicted of fowl stealing, and he had also been charged with attempting house breaking, but on that charge he was dismissed.

The defendant, who did not appear, was ordered to pay a fine of £1 and 12s. 8d. costs, or in default a months. imprisonment.

Kent & Sussex Courier, Wednesday 16 December 1874.

HEVER: STEALING BOOTS.

David Langridge, labourer, Withyham, and William Rogers, labourer, Gloucestershire, were charged with stealing two pairs of women’s boots, the property of John Winter, at Hever, on the 3rd December.

Prosecutor, baker of Edenbridge, said that on the 8th inst., he was at Hever, at the "Henry the Eighth," and left in his van outside, a basket containing biscuits, bread and two pairs of boots. He remained in the Inn a short time, and when he arrived at home he found that the boots had been stolen, also a pin of the tail board of the van. The prisoners called at the Inn whilst he was there. The boots were wrapped up in brown paper.

Miss Susan Chandler, daughter of the landlord of the "Henry VIII Inn," Hever, said that on the day in question the prisoners had been in the taproom, drinking three or four hours. They were there when Mr. Winter called, and left directly afterwards.

Miss Emily Flemming, daughter of the schoolmaster at Hever, said she went to the public-house there and saw prosecutor’s van at the door. When she came out she saw a man at the cart and spoke to him but he made no reply. It was the prisoner Langridge. [The prisoner put his hat on for identification.] The prisoner had both hands in the van, and she heard some paper rustle. She thought it was Mr. Winter at the time, and said to the man 'You will have a wet journey to night Mr Winter.' Finding the man did not reply she looked and saw it was the prisoner Langridge. The boots belonged to her.

I.C. Millen said that from information he received he went in search of the two prisoners. At the "Swan" public-house, East Grinstead he apprehended Langridge. He told the prisoner the charge and cautioned him. Prisoner denied the charge and said he had not been to Hever for a month, and was at Langley Heath when the boots were taken. He told the prisoner he should have to take him to Dorman's Land, when he said it was no use going there he was at Hever, and was so drunk he did not know what he did.

P.C. Baker deposed to apprehending Rogers at Boar-place, Chiddingstone, who denied stealing the boots, but admitted that he was at Hever on the 8th, and left the public-house at shut up time. Langridge who was left in witness's custody at East-Grinstead, told him he knew all about the boots.

Supt Dance said the prisoners had been traced together to Reigate, and he asked for a remand for a week in order that further opportunity should be given for finding the property.

The Bench remanded the prisoners for a week.

Kent & Sussex Courier, Friday 20 October 1899.

Tonbridge Petty Sessions.

Martin Bell was summoned for permitting drunkenness on his licensed premises, the "King Henry VIII" at Hever, on 30th September.

Mr. W. C. Cripps defended.

P.C. Field said that at 5:30 on the night in question he saw Mrs. Smith and Mrs. Jones come from the defendant's house. They went into the churchyard, but returned to the house, and after 8 o'clock they came out, kicked up a row, and Mrs. Smith said that she should not pay twice for a bottle of whiskey. He spoke to the landlord twice, and he said that he wanted the people away.

By Mr. Cripps:- The defendant said that he wanted to get rid of the defendants', locked up his house for 20 minutes, and turned the lights down.

By Superintendent Styles:- The woman was in the house for 2 hours and 20 minutes.

Mr. Cripps made a powerful speech for the defence, and said that his client did not like to put a woman out from the state that she was in for feelings of humanity.

The defendant said that he has kept this house for two-and-a-half years, and he had kept other houses for 28 years without a complaint. On the evening in question the woman Smith came in drunk, and though her husband asked for a drink he refused her. As the woman was in a certain condition he was afraid to touch her. He was in a state of quandary to know what to do with her, and closed this house to get rid of her. If it had been a man he should have put him out.

By Superintendent Styles:- The woman was not in his house two-and-a-half hours. He would have to send two miles for a constable. There was nothing the matter with the other woman. He had never had a complaint against him.

Superintendent Styles:- I have had to send a constable to caution defendant.

Mr. Cripps:- A complaint is a complaint, which we all have to put up with, but there has never been a case before the magistrates.

Mr. Bell, the defendant:- No, sir.

The Chairman:- The bench are unanimously of the opinion that this case must be dismissed.