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From the Deal, Walmer, and Sandwich Mercury,
31 March, 1900. 1d.
A SELF APPOINTED SENSOR OF THE POLICE
John Moskimon was summonsed for being drunk and disorderly in Canada
Road on the 15th March.
Defendant pleaded not guilty.
Police Sergt. Turner said that about 11 o'clock on the night of the
15th he was on duty in Canada Road, when he saw defendant, who was very
drunk, staggering down the road. He came up to witness and asked him if
he was going to do his duty and see that public-house closed, meaning
the "Military Tavern." he advised defendant to go home, but he refused
to do so, saying he should go when he liked, and making use of bad
language. Witness took hold of him, led him to the gate of the house
where he lodged, 2, York Road, and put him inside. P.C. Handford then
came up. he walked away, but defendant came out again and followed him.
He advised him to go indoors, but he said he would see that he (witness)
did his duty. When he took him to his lodgings, defendant's landlady
came out and said to him "You are drunk again and we shall have no sleep
to night." he took him indoors, but had hard work to keep him there.
The Magistrate's Clerk: What do you consider the disorderly conduct.
The language?
Sergt. Turner described the language use by defendant, and said that
there were several young men about at the time. defendant was staggering
about on the path.
The Magistrates' Clerk: That would be a sign that defendant was
incapable, not necessarily disorderly.
Inspector Ellinder: It would be disorderly to roll about and drive
people off the pavement.
The Magistrates' Clerk said there was no evidence that defendant kept
people off the pavement.
Sergt. Turner: I told him if he came out again I should have to take
him into custody.
Defendant proceeded to make insinuations against Sergt. Turner.
Informed that he must question him upon the evidence he had given, he
said: Where were you when you saw me?
Sergt. Turner: Standing in the centre of the road opposite Campbell
Road.
Defendant: I have never been in a Police-court before. An old soldier
doesn't like to be tormented by anyone.
P.C. Handford gave evidence corroborative of Sergt. Turner's account
of the affair.
In reply to questions witness said that defendant kept asking him for
his number, saying he would report him for not doing his duty. There
were several people about at the time, the public-houses having just
been closed.
By defendant: Witness saw him drunk when he was by York Road, and he
(witness) was not drinking in the "Military Tavern."
Defendant said he was innocent of the charge. he was a stranger to a
Court and did not know how to address the Bench. He went on to bring
vague and general charges against the police, and to say that he had
been in the Army and fought for his Queen and country under Havelock.
Capt. Coleman: This is not the point. two witnesses have sworn
that you were drunk. The question is, were you in that condition or not?
Defendant: Yes - they have the evidence against me, but they have
taken advantage of me. If I have the bad luck to get locked up I don't
expect to get anything but the worst of it.
Sergt. Turner, recalled, said that defendant's conversation caused a
lot of young men to stand round to listen to it. he could not do
anything else, and he would have had to lock defendant up if he had not
got him home, or he would lose all control, and others would have
followed suit.
Capt. Coleman said the case had been proved, but it did not appear
that there was anything against defendant previously, and they had taken
a lenient view of it, and he would have to pay a fine of 2s. 6d. and
costs 8s. 6d.
Defendant, who was allowed till Saturday for payment, left the Court
"breathing out threatenings" against the police.
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