From the Folkestone Observer 9 February, 1861. Transcribed by Jan Pedersen.

DESERTERS

Wednesday February 6th: Before the Mayor, R.W. Boarer, R.F. Browell, James Tolputt and James Kelcey, Esqs.

On Monday afternoon Superintendent Martin received a telegram from Dover, giving information respecting two men of the Royal Artillery stationed there, having broken out of guard. Information of the matter was given to the constables, and about 5 o'clock P.C. Reynolds reported that men, answering the description, had been seen in Shellons Lane. Search was made on the public houses of the town, and after a lapse of an hour or two the men were again discovered in the "Mariner's Home," Dover Street. One of the constables who made the discovery went up to the station to report, while the other remained to watch the movements of the suspected men, who, seeing the notice taken of them, came out of the house and walked away, re-entering, however, unobserved by the back door. Superintendent Martin brought down from the battery a corporal's picket, and on going into the house to search, found one of the men in a bedroom, behind a bed, and the other covered up in the bed, dressed in his clothes, and still wearing his spurs, &c. Calling Jenkins by name, he ordered him out of bed, when he saw that his regimental number had been cut off his shoulder strap. Then making the other take off his coat, he observed on the lining the name Harder, which was the second name given in the telegram, his regimental number was also cut off the shoulder strap. The men declared they were from Shorncliffe, but the Superintendent ordered them below. They came down, and proceeding through the passage, just as Jenkins came to the door, and observed the corporal and his guard awaiting them, he turned about, and fetched P.C. Reynolds a severe blow on the cheek. The picket immediately seized him; and Harder proving restive, he was thrown on the ground and handcuffed. After they were lodged in the station, the landlady of the "Mariner's Home" brought up two stout, knobbly, ash bludgeons; carefully cut; about eighteen inches in length, which had been found in the room they had occupied. Jenkins now denied his identity, and was remanded. Before the case of Harder was disposed of, a non-commissioned officer and a number of men appeared in court from Dover, to receive the prisoners into custody. They were fully identified, but were ordered by the magistrates to be sent in civil custody to the headquarters in Dover.

From the Folkestone Observer 16 November, 1861. Transcribed by Jan Pedersen.

DRUNKENNESS IN A PUBLIC HOUSE

Saturday November 9th:- Before Silvester Eastes, W.F. Browell, and A.M. Leith, Esqs.

Ann Tong, landlady of the "Mariner's Home," was charged with permitting drunkenness on the premises.

Mr. Minter appeared for the defendant.

P.C. Reynolds, about 20 minutes past 11 o'clock, on Wednesday night, was on duty at the further end of Radnor Street. Hearing a great disturbance in the Mariner's Home, which is kept by the defendant, he stood opposite the front door and saw down the passage into the back room. He saw parties there quarrelling, and using foul language; two sailors there commenced fighting, and knocked each other down. Witness then went in and parted them, when he saw a man named Filmer with blood running down his face. The two men who were fighting, as well as Filmer, were drunk. The landlady was in the bar, clearing away some things the men had knocked over; she could see what was going on.

Mr. Minter called Filmer, who lodges in the house, and Carter, a sailor who also lodges there, to show that the quarrel between the fishermen was a sudden one and that the landlady promptly sent for the aid of the police.

The magistrates dismissed the case.

From the Folkestone Observer 15 March, 1862. Transcribed by Jan Pedersen.

SOLDIERS ON THE SPREE

Monday March 10th:- Before Captain Kennicott R.N., and James Tolputt, Esq.

Eli Pape, 21st Fusiliers, was charged with maliciously injuring and breaking glass. On Saturday night, about half past 11, the prisoner and two other drunken soldiers came out of the "Mariner's Home" public house, Radnor Street, with their belts twisted round their hands, and shouting “Let them come out”, and the prisoner struck the door window with his belt five times, breaking as many panes of glass, value 4s. 8d.. He was then taken into custody. Richard Bailey, landlord, said the soldiers had nothing to drink in his house. Prisoner was sent to Dover jail for seven days' hard labour.

From the Folkestone Observer 10 May, 1862. Transcribed by Jan Pedersen.

PERMITTING DRUNK AND DISORDERLIES

Saturday May 3rd:- Before the Mayor, W.F. Browell and J. Kelcey, Esqs.

Richard Bailey, landlord of the "Mariner's Home," Radnor Street, was charged with permitting drunkenness and other disorderly conduct.

P.C. Swain, at 10 o'clock on Tuesday night, heard several people singing, shouting, and making a great noise at the "Mariner's Home." About half past eleven he visited the house and saw 7 or 8 soldiers in the front room, some drunk and shouting, and sailors and a prostitute in a back room – some of the sailors being drunk.

The defendant appeared to be the worse for liquor. At a quarter past 12 o'clock the defendant called for the police, and witness and P.C. Hills went to his house, in the front room of which he found one man down on the floor bleeding from the face, and another standing near him, stripped to his shirt. Bailey desired the people present to go out, and some went. In the back room were two soldiers, stripped to their shirts, covered with blood, and with black eyes. Blood was on the floor and on the table. Witness cautioned defendant, and persuaded several of the men to go away; and several did go. He reported the state of the house to P.S. Newman, and at half past 12 the sergeant and himself visited the house together, when they found it much quieter. He had cautioned the defendant that the woman was a prostitute.

Sergeant Newman also gave evidence as to the state of the house and of Bailey himself.

The magistrates sentenced the defendant to pay a fine of 20s. and 10s. costs, or imprisonment for 10 days.

From the Folkestone Observer 10 May, 1862. Transcribed by Jan Pedersen.

STEALING FROM THE PERSON

Saturday May 3rd:- Before the Mayor, W.F. Browell and J. Kelcey, Esqs.

Mary Ward was charged with stealing from William Pearce, at the "Mariner's Home," several sums of money.

William Pearce, bricklayer, came to the town on Saturday and put up at the "Mariner's Home," in Radnor Street, having two sovereigns, three half crowns, and a shilling in his trousers pocket. About eleven o'clock on Sunday morning, he laid down on a sofa in the club room, and on awaking from his sleep, about one o'clock he went to the front door and stood there for 10 minutes, when putting his hand into his trousers pocket, he found that all the money he had had there was gone. He then went indoors and accused the prisoner of having taken the money, which she denied. Witness then applied to the police, who searched her, but without success.

Sarah Bailey, wife of Richard Bailey, landlord of the "Mariner's Home," said the prisoner had been living with them a month, and when she (witness) found the money was gone she persuaded her to give it up. Prisoner denied having taken it; but going upstairs with witness and P.C. Smith, she took two sovereigns from under the paper on the wall, and gave them to Smith. She made no statement but cried. Prisoner was brought in a vessel from Shields a month since; having no place to go to, witness had taken her in as an act of charity. She was about the house as a servant, though not receiving wages.

Sarah Ann Bailey, 12 years old, daughter of last witness, found on Sunday morning a half crown, a shilling, and a sixpence, between the blankets of prisoner's bed.

P.C. Smith, with prosecutor and Mr. Bailey, searched several rooms in the house, but without success; Mrs. Bailey then told the prisoner she must know what had become of the money, and at last she gave two sovereigns in the manner already described. After the charge was read to her at the station she said she had taken the two sovereigns, but no more.

Prisoner on now being cautioned, pleaded guilty, and was sentenced to two months' imprisonment with hard labour.

From the Folkestone Observer 17 May, 1862. Transcribed by Jan Pedersen.

DRUNK AND RIOTOUS

Saturday May 10th:- Before Captain Kennicott R.N. and James Tolputt, Esq.

Edward Jordan, labourer, was charged with being drunk and riotous, and with resisting the police. About 20 minutes past 11 the previous night P.C. Reynolds saw the prisoner and his wife in the "Mariner's Home," Radnor Street, fighting. The man put his wife into the street, where they renewed the fight. Witness parted them, but they refused to go home, and so he took the prisoner into custody, and though much resistance was shown, he brought him to the station.

Sarah Jordan, wife of the prisoner in the last case, was next put at the bar charged with similar offences. When P.C. Reynolds was taking Jordan to the station, prisoner ran up, and seizing her husband endeavoured to release him. P.C. Reynolds called on Mr. John Banks for aid; but when he laid hold of her she bit his hand, and he let her go. On her promise to go home she was allowed to go away; but she made her appearance again at the top of the High Street, and was arrested and locked up.

The magistrates now sentenced Jordan to pay a fine of 1s. with 4s. 6d. costs, or in default, 5 days' imprisonment; and the wife to a fine of 1s. with 5s 6d. costs, or 5 days' imprisonment.

From the Folkestone Observer 24 January, 1863. Transcribed by Jan Pedersen.

DRUNK AND RESISTING

Tuesday January 24th:- Before Captain Kennicott R.N., A.M. Leith and James Tolputt, Esqs.

James Betts, 23, was charged with being drunk and riotous at the "Mariner's Home," and with resisting P.C. Reynolds.

The landlord of the "Mariner's Home" said that prisoner came to the house at eleven the night before, rather fresh, and commenced dancing on the chairs &c. He did not wish to press the charge, only he wished it to be understood that people could not come into his house and do as they liked.

P.C. Reynolds said that when the prisoner was given into custody he would not come along, and resisted, but did not strike him.

Prisoner said, in reply to Captain Kennicott, that he had been seven years a man-of-war's man, but he had had enough of that. The only cause of resisting the officer was the loss of his cap, which he wanted to go back for. If he had been allowed his cap he should not have resisted.

Superintendent Martin said as prisoner had not struck the officer with his hand he would not press that charge.

Prisoner was then discharged on payment of costs.