Two Brewers

From the Borough of Greenwich Free Press, 12 March 1864.

Outrage by a Marine.

On Monday, a private of the 52nd company of Royal Marines, stationed at Deptford, named Martin Fitzpatrick was placed in the dock charged with creating a disturbance in Church Street, Greenwich, and wilfully breaking a window at the shop of Mr. Barton, oilman.

The complainant said, that at half past 11 o'clock on Saturday evening, the prisoner who was in company with a comrade, began struggling in front of his shop, and then went into the "Two Brewers" public house, next door, where they were refused to be served with drink. Immediately upon coming out the prisoner deliberately broke the window; and upon witness asking him why he had done it, he tried to assault him, and would have succeeded had it not been for the arrival of a neighbour named Parks, who prevented the soldier from striking him.

Alfred parks, the witness in question, was then sworn, and stated that he carried on business as a butcher directly opposite the complainant's shop. On the evening alluded to, seeing a crowd assembled he went over, and took the prisoner's hand from off Mr. Barton's mouth.

In answer to the charge, the prisoner said that he was drunk, and had no recollection of what had taken place.

The magistrate ordered him to pay fine of 20s., or in default to be committed for 14 days.