From the Dover Express and East Kent News, 17 June, 1938.

CLOSING DOWN PUBLIC HOUSES

THE LIBERTY

The East Kent Licensing Authority met at Canterbury on Friday last, when the four Dover houses referred to by the licensing Justices came up.

There was no opposition in the case of the "Liberty" Inn, Adrian Street, and the "Green Dragon," Strond Street, both of which had been referred.

The renewal was refused.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 26 August, 1938.

Deep foundations are now being put in for the flats which will face the cliff side road. At the top left-hand corner of the picture is the "Liberty" Inn, at the corner of Five Post Lane, which will disappear when the new road is made into Snargate Street from Queen Street.

ADRIAN STREET CHANGES

The new cliff side road which has been made closely following the line of the old Adrian Street.

From the Dover Express and East Kent Intelligencer, 6 December, 1867.

ROBBERY FROM A BUTCHER'S SHOP

William Denton and John Burke, a couple of men having the appearance of labourers out of employ, were charged with stealing from the shop of Charles Streeter, butchers, of Adrian Street, on Saturday night, a loin of mutton weighing eight pounds, and worth 4s.

Alfred Crick, a journeyman butcher, said he was in the employ of Mr. Charles Streeter. He missed the loin of mutton produced about a quarter past ten on Saturday night. He was having his supper in a corner of the shop, when young Mr. Swoffer, a neighbour, came in and drew his attention to the stall, upon which several joints of meat were lying, when he at once missed the loin, which he had seen lying there safe a quarter of an hour before.

The prisoners were asked in the usual way if they had any questions to put to the witness, when Denton said, "I plead guilty to the charge, but this man (indicating Burke) known nothing about it."

Emily Bromley said she was the wife of John Mark Bromley, who kept the "Liberty" public-house, at the top of Five Post Lane. The bar of the house commanded a view of Adrian Street, and of the shop-window of the prosecutor; and as she was standing in the bar on Saturday evening, about a quarter past ten, she saw a man of short stature, resembling the prisoner Denton, approach the stall and take from it a joint of mutton - either a neck or a loin. He put it under his coat, and made off with it as fast as he could go. She called to Mr. Swoffer, a neighbour living opposite, who gave information to the prosecutor. The prisoner did not seem to have any companions.

Police-sergeant Johnson said he received information of Saturday night that a loin of mutton had been stolen from the shop of Mr. Streeter and that there was reason to believe that the man who had stolen it was accompanied by two others. Acting on this information he proceeded to New Street, where he found the two prisoners, who were standing in the street conversing with each other. He "rubbed down" the prisoner Denton, and found that he had concealed under his jacket the loin of mutton which had been produced and identified as that which was stolen. Witness took the prisoner Denton into custody, and charged him with stealing the mutton from the shop of Mr. Streeter. The prisoner then admitted the theft, but after he had been taken to the police-station and had heard the charges formally read over to him, he said he would "reverse his defence." Burke was taken into custody by police-constable Pilcher, and when the charge was read over to him he said he knew nothing about it.

The Magistrates dismissed Burke, being of opinion that no case against him had been made out.

The other prisoner was asked if he desired to have the case dealt with by the Magistrate, and he answered in the affirmative. He pleaded guilty, and alleged that he had been induced to commit the theft by want.

He was unknown to the police, and the Magistrates assuming this to be his first offence, committed him for thirty-three days' hard labour in the Wandsworth House of Correction.

From the Dover Express and East Kent Intelligencer, 11 September, 1868.

THE ANNUAL LICENSING DAY

THE LIBERTY, ADRIAN STREET

Mr. Coram reported that this house was well adapted for its purpose, and that the landlord, Mr. Bromley, had borne an excellent character for the last twenty years.

Mr. Fox said that he had been instructed to oppose all applications for new licenses, on two grounds - first, that having regard to the population of Dover an increase in the number of licensed houses was not required; and next that in individual cases it would be found that there were other licensed houses in close proximity to those for which applications were now made. In the case of the "Liberty" he particularised the houses which surrounded it, remarking that he did not impugn the respectability of the applicant, or his capability to manage a licensed house properly, but that he contended an increase was not required. If the Legislature had contemplated that licenses should be granted indiscriminately to whoever applied for them, there would be no utility in the discretion of increasing the number remaining in the hands of the Magistrates, as the Excise could do all that was necessary.

The Mayor said that the Magistrates had discussed the question of increasing the number of licensed houses with a great deal of care, and although they in a measure agreed with what Mr. Fox had said, they yet held that it was not unwise as a general rule to grant those of the applications which were deserving. In this particular case the applicant was a respectable man, his house was well adapted for its purpose, and the license of the "Chance" had just been taken away, so that there would be no increase in that particular neighbourhood. The license, would therefore, be granted.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 8 January, 1869.

ROBBERY FROM A PUBLIC HOUSE.

Mary Ann Ward and Elizabeth Lavender, were charged with stealing a glass from the "Liberty" public-house, at the corner of Five Post Lane.

It appeared that the evidence would not sustain a charge of larceny against the prisoner lavender, she was discharged, and was afterwards admitted as evidence against Ward. It appeared from her statement that o the same morning she went into the house of a woman named Turner, where she saw the prisoner, who asked her to sell the tumbler for her. She did so and realized two-pence for it; and the money was expended in a pint of beer.

John Mark Bromley, landlord of the "Liberty" public-house, at the corner of Five Post Lane, said the prisoner came into his house, at ten minutes past six the same morning. She had two or three half-pints of beer, for which she paid. She remained till about twenty-minutes to eight; and after he had been away from the bar a few minutes she bade him good morning and left. He did not miss the glass till the policeman brought it to him. He recognised it at once as his property. The name of the house was engraved upon it. It had been used by customers while the prisoner was there.

The prisoner desired that the charge might be disposed of by the Magistrates, but denied that she was guilty.

It appeared that she was an old offender, the Magistrates sent her to prison for seven days, with hard labour.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 20 August, 1869.

SUDDEN DEATH AT DOVER

An inquest was held at the "Liberty" public-house, Five Post Lane, on Saturday afternoon last, before the Deputy Coroner, Sydenham Payn Esq., and a jury, of whom Mr. Henry Smith was chosen the foreman, on the body of Alfred Scokes, who had resided in Adrian Street, and had gained his livelihood by hawking ginger beer.

The body having been viewed, the following evidence was taken:-

Maria Elizabeth Prescott said she was the wife of John Prescott, who resides at 2, Adrian Street. Witness had known the deceased for about two years, and during that time she had only known him to be ill once, for a short time. On Friday morning the deceased asked the landlady of the house in which he resided, Mrs. Casual, to obtain him a ticket of admission to the Union, and the witness accompanied the landlady to the Workhouse to get the ticket. Witness saw the  deceased standing at the door of his house on the same morning , and she asked him how he was, when he replied that he was very badly, and must go indoors and lie down. On the previous evening she saw the deceased lying on the floor near the bed in the room he occupied. Witness did not know how he came upon the floor. Mrs. Casual asked the deceased if he was thirsty, and on his replying that he was , she obtained a cup of tea, half of which he drank. Witness then had occasion to go home for a minute and upon her return she found the deceased just expiring.

By the Jury: I do not know whether deceased had been fighting. he had been to Sandgate on the previous Thursday. Deceased was a very quiet man. After he had drunk the tea I asked him if he would like any more, when he said something about "Sandgate Heights."

Mr. John Walters, a surgeon practising in Dover, said that on reaching the home the previous evening at a quarter to six, he found that a message had been left about half an hour previously for him to go and see the deceased, who was very ill. he immediately went to the house where the deceased was lodging, when he found him upon the floor in a room, quite dead. On examining the body he found the scrotum very much enlarged and blackened, and this would account for the vomiting which he had suffered. the blackening might have been caused by a blow, or might have arisen from natural causes. Witness saw no other signs of violence upon the deceased. The blackened mark had probably been occasioned  by overwalking, which might have accelerated death.

 The jury returned a verdict of "Death from natural causes."

From the Dover Express and East Kent Intelligencer, 4 December, 1874. Price 1d.

DRUNK AND DISORDERLY

Before Mr. R. Dickeson, Esq.

Charles Phillis, 4, Chapel -place, butcher, was charged with being drunk and disorderly at the "Liberty," and with unlawfully breaking one pane of glass, value 10d.

John Mark Bromley deposed: I keep the "Liberty." Last evening prisoner came to my house, and as he was the worse for drink I refused to serve him. He went away and came back again. He refused to go out, and I ejected him. He persisted in coming in, and I put him out again. He then said, "I'll smash all your _____ windows," and put his fist through one. The amount of damage is 10d.

Prisoner had nothing to say. He had cut his own hand.

Defendant's father said his son had never behaved so before. His sister was married yesterday.

Mr. Dickeson said he thought Bromley had behaved well in the matter. The "Liberty" was one of the best conducted houses in the town, and defendant through making a disturbance there might give it a bad character. He must pay a fine of 1s. the amount of damage, and the costs.