From the Whitstable Times, 20 December, 1902.

TYLER HILL – ATTEMPTED SUICIDE.

George Jeffery was charged with attempting to commit suicide at Tyler Hill, Blean, on the previous Sunday afternoon.

The evidence taken at the previous hearing was read over.

Prisoner stated that on Sunday afternoon he went to the “Ivy House,” Blean, at a quarter to one o’clock. He had some drink there, and when he came out he was drank. When he got home he found his wife was getting ready to go for a walk with a man named Draper. She was always out with him every night. Prisoner was drunk, and did not know what to do. He tried to persuade his wife not to go out with the men, but she said he could not stop her from doing so. Prisoner expressed his regret, and said he would not repeat the offence.

Superintendent Jacobs said prisoner had told the Police Court Missioner that he would sign the pledge. Prisoner's work had been retained for him.

The Bench discharged prisoner on the undertaking that he would not repeat the offence.

From the Whitstable Times, 27 December, 1902.

TYLER HILL – CHARGE DISMISSED.

Thomas Jennings Williams, landlord of the “Ivy House,” Tyler Hill was summoned for permitting drunkenness on his licensed premises on Sunday, December 7th.

Defendant, who was represented by Mr. Waller Hills, of Margate, pleaded not guilty.

Mr. Sidney Wacher, surgeon, stated that on Sunday, December 7th, he saw George Jeffery in his house at Tyler Hill at about five o’clock p.m., and he was then rather intoxicated. His breath was reeking with liquor, so witness took it he had had a considerable quantity of alcoholic liquor.

Cross-examined:—Witness said the man Jeffery might have had the liquor in his own house. He could not say where he got it from. He did not know public-houses had to be closed at 2.30 on Sundays.

George Jeffery, a labourer, living at Tyler Hill, and employed by Mr. J. Mount, at Harbledown, stated that on Sunday, the 7th, he went to the “Ivy House” at about a quarter to one, He had not been out anywhere before going there on that morning. Before going there he had not had any intoxicating liquor. He went there with George Draper. They left the house at closing time—2.30. Witness knew defendant. He saw him when he went into the house and at 2.30 and defendant told them the time. Witness was in the tap room. During that time he saw defendant, who served the beer in the tap room. Witness paid for a quart. He and Draper drank together. Draper paid for three pints. Witness also drank with two others, who paid for three quarts each. Defendant brought some of the beer into the taproom. Witness did not feel any effects of the drink until he got out of doors. He did not have any drink from 2.30 up till the time the doctor saw him.

Cross-examined.—.Witness had been in the habit of visiting the house. He knew all the people that visited the house on a Sunday. They were all very friendly. There were seven or eight people in the tap room during the time he was there. During the time a number of people came in and out. Witness was perfectly sober until he went out into the air. When he went home he was drunk. No doubt being excited over the conduct of Draper and his wife had something to do with his condition.

The Chairman.—Last week I asked you whether you were drunk when you left the “Ivy House,” and you said you were. Was that true or false?

Witness.—I don't recollect you asking me that.

The Chairman.—Well, it is in the memory of the Court. Do you think you would have tried to commit suicide when you were in your right mind?

Witness:- No.

Mrs. Jeffrey, wife of the last witness, stated that her husband left home at about quarter to one on December 7th with George Draper, and returned at a quarter to three. He was then drunk, and could not walk straight.

Cross-examined:- Witness’s husband was a sober man as a rule. He did not tell her that it was after he came out into the air that he felt drunk.

George Draper, a woodcutter, living at Tyler Hill, stated that on the 7th he saw Jeffrey at about 12.15 at his house. He went with him to the “Ivy House” at about ten minutes to one. They went to the bar first. They had a quart of beer, which they took into the tap room to drink. During the time he was in the house he paid for a quart of beer and also a pint. Jeffrey paid for a quart. Witness left the house at about 2.10. While they were in the tap room six quarts were brought by the landlord. There were six or seven of them there. Witness did not notice anything the matter with Jeffrey when they left the house. Witness next saw him about 3.30. he was called to his house, Jeffrey having cut his throat.

Superintendent Jacobs stated that on the previous Tuesday at 2 o’clock he served the summons on defendant on the road to Tyler Hill. Witness told him what it was for, and defendant replied "Yes, that is no more then I expected." I did not notice the man was drunk. Witness said “You were in Court on Saturday, and you heard what was told the Bench,” He said “Yes, I did.”

Mr. Hills submitted that there was no case to answer. There was no evidence to support the charge. All the witnesses called by the prosecution had said the man Jeffery was perfectly sober when he left the house. Upon those statements Mr. Hills asked the Bench to say there was no charge to answer.

The Chairman intimated that the Bench would like to hear the evidence for the defence,

Defendant, on oath, stated that all the people in the house on the 7th instant were practically the same as came in every Sunday. They were all friends. When Jeffery came in the house he was sober, and so he was when he left. The first he heard of Jeffery saying be was drunk was on the previous Saturday at the Court. After the Police Court proceedings witness said "Yon are a nice one,” Jeffery said “what do you mean.” Witness said “Why did you say you were drunk," and Jeffery said "I had to say something to get out of it. When you are up in front of them people you don’t know what to say."

Cross-examined by Superintendent Jacobs witness said there were about tan people in the bar who drank the beer.

Thomas Curd, who was in the tap room on the Sunday in question, stated that he saw Jeffery in the house. When he left he was quiet and orderly, and was quite sober.

Thomas Midham, a farm labourer, in the employ of Mr. Whiteman, stated that he went into the “Ivy House” just after 2 o’clock. He saw Jeffery there. He was perfectly sober.

William Pout, a platelayer, who was in the “Ivy House” on Sunday, December 7th, stated that Jeffery was quite sober.

Miss Caroline Pont, living just below the “Ivy House,” Tyler Hill, stated that she saw Jeffery coming from the direction of the public house at 2.40. He was walking as if he were perfectly sober.

William Porter, a winkle picker, living at Knott’s Lane, Canterbury, stated that he went into the “Ivy House” at about 2.15 on Sunday the 7th. Jeffery gave him a glass of beer. They had a conversation about some winkles, and Jeffery was quite sober.

The Chairman said the case had been properly brought forward by Superintendent Jacobs. They had carefully considered the evidence, and they were not able to come to the conclusion that the charge was established, but they thought that the defendant had brought that unpleasantness upon himself by supplying too much liquor indiscriminately all round. They hoped it would be a warning to him in future and that he would be more discreet. After January 1st the law would be much stronger, and it behoved defendant to take much greater care. The case would be dismissed.