From the Kentish Gazette, 9 September 1845.

Canterbury.

At the annual licensing on Thursday, the city magistrates renewed one hundred and nineteen licences.

Nine new applicants were granted us follows:— Thomas Attwood, "Old City of Canterbury," Oatenhill; Charles Denham, for the "Queen's Head," Northgate; Henry Clements, for the "Alto Douro," St. George’s-place; Eliz. Clinch. "Plasterers' Arms," Northgate; Joseph Harrison, "Royal George," Northgate; Joseph Hirst, "Dragoon," Military-road; Angel Hyde, "Military Tavern," King-street; George Lilley, "Waggoners' Arms," St. Dunstan; Henry James Page, "Windsor Castle," Bridge-street.

Kentish Gazette, 10 September 1850.

On the annual licensing day (Thursday last) our city magistrates suspended the following licenses:-

"Military Tavern," King Street;

"Eight Bells," King Street;

"Duke of York," Riding Gate;

"Kentish Arms," Jewry Lane;

"Eagle," Whitehorse Lane;

"Golden Cross," Northgate;

"Queen's Head," Northgate;

"City of London," Tower Street;

"Duke's Head," Wincheap;

"True Briton," Northgate;

"Royal George," Northgate;

"Queen's Arms," Northgate; and

"Three Grenadiers," Military Road.

Kentish Gazette, 3 August 1852.

Aaron Randall (not in the calendar) was charged with having assaulted John Lentell, with intent to rob him, at Canterbury, on the 20th April. The prosecutor, at the date in question, kept the "Military Tavern," at Canterbury. The prisoner was a soldier, and, whilst in a state of drunkenness, committed the assault complained of between Sturry and Canterbury. His Lordship said that the prisoner was indicted for a felony and not for a misdemeanour, which he ought to have been, and from a recent alteration in the law, the error could not be amended. Unless, therefore, they were satisfied that he had committed the assault with intent to rob, they must acquit the prisoner.

Not guilty.

From the Kentish Gazette, 4 April 1865 Canterbury 2.bmp"

A Tradesman where he ought not to be.

At the Guildhall, on Wednesday and Thursday, the City Magistrates were engaged a considerable time in the investigation of a barge of robbery from the person, preferred by one of our city tradesmen, against two women of questionable reputation, the case excited great interest, and the Court, particularly on Thursday, was inconveniently crowded. The Magistrates on he Bench, on Wednesday, were the Right Worshipful the Mayor (Peter Marten, Esq.), Wm. Plummer, Esq., and Alderman Plummer.

The prisoners, on being placed at the bar, described themselves as married women, and gave their names as Emily Clements and Elizabeth Evans. They were stated by he police to be sifters, and the daughters of a woman named Nash, who resides in Knott’s-lane. The charge against them was that of stealing a watch, a valuable ring, and a purse containing £2 14s. from the person of George Eastes, some time during the previous night.

Mr. Eastes, was sworn, but he appeared to have only an indistinct recollection of what had taken place. He said that about 10 o’clock on Tuesday night he saw the prisoner Emily Clements in the "Sun" Yard, and treated her to something to drink, but he did not know what public-house they went to. He was afterwards at the "Cricketers," St. Peter’s, but did not know whether the prisoner went with him there, he saw her there, and stood treat all round. He remembered nothing more till about 4 o’clock on Wednesday morning, when he found himself at the police station, minus his watch, ring, and money. His property was safe when he saw Clements in the "Sun" Yard on the previous night. He estimated his loss at about £18 or £19.

P.C. Sampson deposed:- About a quarter past 2 o’clock this morning, from information received from another officer, I apprehended the prisoner, Emily Clements, in a passage in Northgate, and charged her with stealing a watch, ring, and purse from Mr. Eastes. She said. "I have not got the watch, I was with him at my mother’s, and if he has lost his watch, my sister must have had it." I took her to the police station, and there saw the prosecutor, who appeared to have lost his senses, though he could walk very well. I then went and apprehended the other prisoner at her mother’s house in Knott s Lane. I charged her with being concerned in the stealing of Mr. Eastes’ property. She said, "I have not got his watch, Eastes was drunk." Just at that time P.C. Marsh, who was with me, said, "There is the pocket book," and he picked the pocket book up at the comer of the door in the prisoners’ mother’s house. The mother said that Mr. Eastes had been there. Subsequently the female searcher gave me 19s. 8 1/2d., which she said she had taken from the prisoner Emily Nash. About five o’clock this morning I accompanied Mr. Eastes to the "Sun" Yard, and we there picked up his cloak, which was lying on the ground in the yard.

Mrs. Fill, landlady of the "Cricketers," deposed that Mr. Eastes was at her house about 10 o’clock on Tuesday night. He appeared to sober then, and left alter drinking a glass of ale. Neither of the prisoners were at her house on Tuesday night.

William Walters Blogg, a ragged, dirty looking fellow, deposed:- I am a tailor, and lodge with Mrs. Nash, mother of the prisoners, in Knott’s Lane. Both the prisoners live there, but Emily Nash sleeps in another house. About 12 o’clock last night Emily Nash came in with Mr. Hastes, and they sat in the room where I and Mrs. Nash were.

Mr. Eastes was very drunk. The other prisoner came in about a quarter of an hour afterwards. Mr. Eastes sent for half a pint of brandy, which they drank neat. Eastes left the house about half-past two o'clock, and alter he had gone I locked the door and went to bed. Emily Nash had left about an hour previously.

At this stage of the proceedings Mr. Superintendent Davies applied for a remand, stating that he thought he should be able to obtain further evidence, and after a brief consultations the Magistrates granted the application.

On Thursday morning, when the prisoners were again brought up, the Magistrates on the Bench were the Right Worshipful the Mayor (Peter Marten, Esq.), Aldermen Philpott and Cooper, Wm. Plummer, Esq., and Edward Wootton, Esq.

The evidence taken on the previous day having been read over, Mr. Eastes informed the Bench that his ring had been brought to him that morning by Mr. Leech, a most respectable man who worked at the Cathedral, and who said he had found it in Palace-street.

Superintendent Davies said the only additional evidence he had obtained was to show that, some time between 10 and 12 o'clock on Tuesday night, Mr. Eastes and Emily Nash were drinking together at the "Military Tavern," but on inquiry it turned out that the witness was not forthcoming.

The Magistrates then consulted for a short time, and eventually decided to discharge the prisoners for want of evidence.

We understand that since the investigation before the Magistrates, Mr. Eastes has been suspended from his appointment, as lay clerk at the Cathedral, pending an enquiry into his conduct by the Dean and Chapter.