East Kent Times and Mail, Friday 4 January 1957.

Policeman struck in public house raid at Ramsgate. But the licensee knew these premises were under observation. Before the court were Ernest Sadler, and Mrs. Eva Hobbs, of the "Golden Ball" public house, Union Street, Ramsgate. Harry Morris Jenner, a miner, of Kingston Road, Ramsgate, and Lewis Sydney Crow, a U.S.A.F. fireman of Kingston Road, Ramsgate.

Sadler pleaded not guilty to selling liquor after hours on 21st, 22nd, 23rd, and 24th November, and not guilty of selling liquor by his agent after hours on 25th November.

Mrs. Hobbs pleaded not guilty to aiding and abetting Sadler in the offences on 22nd, 24th, and 25th November.

Jennera and Crow pleaded guilty to drinking intoxicating liquor during other than permitted hours on 25th November. Crow entered the plea of not guilty on a charge of assaulting P.S. H. G. Jenner at the "Golden Ball" on the same night.

The magistrates found the case against all defendants proved and fined Sadler £25 and ordered him to pay £10 10s. costs. Hobbs was fined £6, Jenner £2 and crow £2 on the after-hours drinking summons and £5 on the assault charge.

P.C. Haig said he was one of the policeman on observation duty. Observation was kept by standing on some steps behind a wall on the far side of the wall to the public house, and through clear panes of glass in a window. Between the public house and the wall there was a narrow alleyway.

Saw into bar.

From his position he could see into the bar, and saw people being served with drinks after hours. He saw money being handed across the counter and heard the sound of a till being rung up.

He could hear the conversation in the bar from time to time.

P.C. Haig said he kept observation from 10:20 p.m. until 1:35 a.m. on 21st November. He again kept observation on 24th November. On 25th November, with Inspector Martin, P.S. Jenner and P.C. Rickles, he entered the premises and went straight through into the bar Crow said. "No, I do not want any trouble," and gave his name as Bob Herbert.

When asked if his name was Crow, defendant replied "You know ------- well it is." Crow refused to give his name and address, tried to push past witness, and also tried to throw a glass at him. Witnessed try to restrain him.

Crow turned to defendant Jenner and said, "Come on Harry, let's get out," and dragged defendant Jenner over the door. Defendant Jenner ran out into the street, while witness was trying to restrain Crow, who was striking P.S. Jenner.

P.C. Haigh said Crow struck P.C. Jenner twice in the chest and shoulder. He was restrained and taken to the
police station.
Cross-examined by Mr. S. E. L. Macaskie, defending Sadler and Hobbes, P.C. Haig said Jenner also watch from the steps and came up on the steps.

Said Mr. Macaskie, "Almost like a trapeze act wasn't it?"

P.C. Jones also gave evidence on observations he had kept and of seeing people drinking after hours.

To Mr. Macaskie's question that he could not have seen through the window, which must have been misted up, P.C. Jones replied. "Then the whole of my evidence must have been perjury."

Mr. Macaskie.:- "You said it, officer.

Mr. N. K. Cooper, prosecuting:- Are you making that suggestion, Mr. Macaskie?

Mr. Macaskie:- No, I am not making any suggestion whatsoever.

When shown a photograph taken through the bar windows, which shows that they were misted up, P.S. Jenner commented. "It is a very bad photograph."

Mr. Macaskey:- I took it myself.

P.S. Jenner said he had known Crow for a long time, and knew that if he had drink he lost himself. "I thought, by speaking to him, he would have taken notice of me," said the sergeant.

After the police had entered the premises inspector Martin said he saw Sadler who was at Manston. Told he would be reported Sadler said, "O.K. that will have to be proved in court.

Denial.

In court, Sadler denied that drinks were sold after hours, and said his staff and he usually had supper in the bar after closing time. There was a fire and also a wireless set in the bar, which they listened to. Any drinks that were had was paid for by him. No one else brought any drinks.

The windows that the police looked through were dirty and did get misted up. Cross-examined by Mr. Cooper Sadler said he knew the police were keeping observations on 24th. He saw them looking through the window. He went out to fetch them and, but did not see them.

Mr. Cooper:- Either the police are telling lies or else you are telling lies to the court. Is there any reason why the police should commit perjury?

Sadler:- I don't know why they should do it.

Mrs. Hobbs also denied the offences.

No drinking.

Mrs. Anne Foley, of Hardres Street, and Mr. George Day, of Petham Common, near Canterbury, said they saw no drinking out-of-hours.

Crow strongly denied attempting to throw a glass at a policeman, or hitting P.C. Jenner. He thought he might have lurched against P.C. Jenner in a struggle, but he never wilfully hit him. He also denied giving a false name.

He maintained that a policeman seized his tie and he was choking for breath.

Mr. Robert McKelvie, of Hardres Street, said he never saw Crow lift a glass at a policeman or hit P.S. Jenner.

Mrs. Barbara Crow, defendant's wife, said her husband arrived home in a very distressed condition. His pullover was torn and there was a red mark around his neck. He had been having treatment for a nervous disorder.

Addressing the magistrates, Mr. Macaskie said there was a clear conflict of evidence. Sadler had been a licensee for nearly 20 years and the evidence heard was conducted to his innocence. What the police saw through ordinary household glass may have been distorted. There was, he submitted, a reasonable doubt in the case.

Correction.

In connection with the above case an error, for which our reporter at the court was in no way responsible, appeared in our Wednesday issue.

The reporting in that issue stated in connection with P.C. Haig's evidence, that Crow turned to P.C. Jenner and said "Come on Harry let's get out," and dragged P.C. Jenna over to the door. P.S. Jenner ran out into the street, while witness was trying to restrain Crow, who was striking P.S. Jenner.

In fact the evidence was that Crow turned to the defendant Jenner and dragged him over to to the door, and that it was defendant Jenner, who ran out into the street.