From the East Kent Gazette, Saturday, 9 March, 1867.

Keeping a Beer House Open After Hours at Upchurch.

Isaiah Starkey, a beerhouse keeper at Upchurch, was charged with keeping his house open for the sale of beer after 10 o'clock on the night of the 2nd of February.

Police Constable Webb, stationed at Rainham, said the defendant was a beerhouse keeper at Upchurch. He visited his house at ten minutes to eleven o'clock on the night of 2nd of February. It was open, and he found eight persons in the taproom and a quart and two cups containing beer on the table. He told the landlord it was past his time for keeping open, and he said it was not eleven. Witness said ten o'clock was his time, and that he should report the case.

Defendants says his licence dated 3 hours, 10, 11, and 12 o'clock, for the house to be kept open, and he did not know at which time it was to close.

The licence was produced, and examined by the Bench, who told the defendant that it was perfectly plain; and fined him £1, adding that if he came before them again on a similar charge the fine would be heavier.