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Kentish Gazette, 11 January 1876.
CAUTION TO BEERHOUSE KEEPERS.
Walter Austin, keeper of the "Royal Oak" beerhouse, Newnham, was
summoned for keeping his house open during prohibited hours on
Sunday, the 2nd inst.
Police sergeant Bates deposed to visiting defendant's house in plain
clothes on the morning in question. He noticed defendant and his
father standing in the high road as he approached the house, and
when they saw him they ran round to the side of the house. He
followed, and saw two men run away from the pig-stable up to the
pig-pound. He then went into the stable, where he found the
defendant's father. Defendant himself was in a loft above, and
witness found a can containing beer there. Defendant then said, "I
did draw it and give it to the men."
Mr. Delasaux, who appeared for the defendant, contended that there
was no evidence that defendant kept his house open for the sale of
beer, nor proof that any beer was sold, drank, or ordered. he called
Charles Austin, father of the defendant, who deposed that Pilcher
came to his son's house to look at some pigs and to pay for some
wood; these were the only two men there. They did not go into the
house at all, but stood by the pig pound. No beer was drawn that
morning.
The two men Pilcher and Ray also deposed that they did not see or
partake of any beer, and that they did not go into defendant's house
or stable. There was a discrepancy in their evidence, however, as to
who went to the pig pound first, Ray stating that Pilcher came up
while he was there and vice-versa.
The defendant had laid himself open to a penalty of £20 for lodging
a convicted thief, as was his father, after repeated convictions.
James Pilcher and Henry Ray, labourers, were then charged with being
at the above-mentioned licenses premises during prohibited hours.
Superintendent Mayne withdrew the summons on the defendant's paying
the costs (6s. 6d. each.)
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