From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday 11 June, 1859.

CHAFFING A FRIEND

George White, a labourer, was placed at the bar by police-constable Williams charged with causing a disturbance in St, James's Street on the previous Saturday night, at a quarter to twelve o'clock.

The officer said his attention was drawn to the lower end of St. James's Street, at the hour stated, by a disturbance, and on getting there he found the defendant fighting with another man, who was injured very much. Defendant refusing to be orderly, witness took him into custody, but his antagonist went away.

The defendant said he was a recruit in the 58th regt., but, although he had been sworn in, he had got permission to remain here working until it was requisite for him to proceed to head-quarters. On Saturday night he went to the "Red Lion" to see a friend of his named Frank, and rank got chaffing him, till at last they had a fight; but they made it up again, and nothing would have occurred he was satisfied, had he not had a little too much to drink. He prayed the Bench to forgive him and let him join his regiment, which he expected to do in a few days.

Superintendent Coram, in reply to Mr. Latham, said he believed the statement of the defendant as to his enlistment in the 58th was perfectly correct.

Mr. Latham discharged the defendant, but advised him to be careful when "chaffed" for the future. If he had got himself into the gaol through the disturbance he would have entered the army with but a poor recommendation.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday 31 December, 1859.

ROBBERY AT A LODGING HOUSE

Elizabeth Smith, an untidily clad and dirty looking woman, was charged with stealing from a bed-room at the "Red Lion" public house a pair of chord trowsers, a shawl, sheet, and a silk handkerchief, value £1. 10s., the property of Henry French.

The prisoner it appeared lodged in the same house and slept  in the same room with prosecutor and his wife. On Monday morning the prosecutor wanted a pair of trowsers out of the bundle kept under the bed he and his wife occupied, and on the wife going to look for them, she discovered that the articles mentioned in the charge had been abstracted from the bundle. She had seen the former safe in the bundle on the Thursday or Friday previous. The prisoner, she said, had slept in the room ever since she and her husband had lodged at the "Red Lion" - a fortnight the previous Tuesday. From the evidence of Mr. Thos. Long, pawnbroker, Limekiln Street, at appeared that the shawl and sheet identified by the woman French as her property were brought to his shop by the prisoner on Saturday evening between 6 and 8 o'clock, the prisoner stating that he name was Ann Clark, that she lodged at 2, St. James's Street, and that the things belonged to herself. Edmund Boulding, an assistant to Miss Aaron, another pawnbroker, carrying on business in Bench Street, stated that the prisoner brought the silk handkerchief and trowsers to Miss Aaron's shop on Saturday evening, saying that they belonged to her husband, that her name was Ann Clark, and that she lived at Charlton. The trowsers and silk handkerchief were wrapped in a cotton handkerchief, which Mrs. French also recognised as her property. The prisoner had been apprehended by Sergeant Scutt at the "Red Lion" on the previous afternoon, and on being told what she was charged with she said she was quite innocent. No pawnbrokers tickets were found on her.

The prisoner, having been called upon to plead, said she was not guilty. She was afterwards cautioned in the usual way, but she had nothing to say; and, she was then committed for trial at the Sessions.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday 26 March, 1864.

A SERVANT LOCKED OUT

Ann Briggs, servant at the "Red Lion" public-house, St. James's Street, who had been found early on the same morning throwing stones at an upper window of the "Red Lion," was discharged with a caution.

From the Dover Express and East Kent Intelligencer, 13 August, 1864.

CLOTHES PHILOSOPHY

Thomas Smith, a labourer, unknown in Dover, was charged with stealing from the outside of the shop of Mrs. Whitnal, New Street, a fustian jacket, value 2s.

Sarah Whitnal, second-hand dealer, said that on the preceding morning she had lost a fustian jacket from a line at the side of her door, and about a yard from the window. She saw it safe at half-past ten o'clock. and missed it about half-past eleven. She next found it in the hands of Sergeant Gedds in the evening. It was worth 2s., and the jacket produced was the same.

Ann Whiting, wife of William Whiting, the landlord of the "Red Lion" public house, St. James's Street, said that the prisoner came to lodge at the "Red Lion" two days before. On Friday morning, between 12 and 1 o'clock, he came in and said he had got a job, to ballast a vessel; and taking the fustian jacket produced (identified by Mrs. Whitnal) from his shoulders, asked her if she would let him have a loaf of bread, pint of porter, and a pennyworth of tobacco upon it. She assented, and he promised to release it in the evening, after he had received his money. When evening came, however, he said that he had not finished the job, and that he would not therefore be able to redeem the jacket till the following night (Saturday). Sergeant Geddes came in after the prisoner had gone to bed and enquired if she had seen anything of a fustian jacket in the hands of any of her lodgers. She showed him that which the prisoner had left with her, and Geddes then apprehended the prisoner.

Police-sergeant Geddes said that he apprehended the prisoner as stated by the last witness, from whom he received the jacket produced on the preceding evening. On telling the prisoner what he was charged with, he made no remark whatever; but at the station-house, when the charge was taken, and the prisoner was cautioned by the superintendent, he said "That's quite right; it's of no use denying it."

The prisoner desired that the charge might be dealt with by the magistrates, and pleaded guilty.

From the Dover Express and East Kent Intelligencer, 13 August, 1864.

AN EARLY AIRING

Alfred Brown, a labourer was charged by police-constable Joyce, with being on the roofs of several houses in St, James's Street in a state of nudity.

Joyce said that about half-past four o'clock in the same morning his attention was directed to defendant, who was getting out of a window of the "Red Lion" public house, on to the roof. Defendant clambered up the tiles and went along on the tops of two or three houses adjoining.

Defendant, who looked vacantly around him when addressed by the Magistrates, said he was a labourer.

Magistrates' Clerk:- Where do you live? Defendant:- Ah! my house is far up above (pointing with his finger above his head). I have a house as high up as you can get.

The Magistrates consulted a short time, and then decided on sending defendant to the Union, believing him to be in an unfit state of mind to set at large.

From the Dover Express. 1865.

Robbery of Gold Lace.

Denis McEvoy, a private of the 37th regiment, employed in the regimental tailor’s shop, was charged with stealing a quantity of gold lace valued at £2 10s the property of Sergeant John Benson the Master Tailor of the Regiment and Elizabeth William’s an unfortunate was charged with receiving the same well knowing it to have been stolen.

From the evidence it appeared that the lace was missed from the tailors workshop at the Western Heights on Thursday evening and that on the same evening the male prisoner was seen with it in his possession at the Red Lion public house where he showed it to John Smith a civilian tailor who was employed in the workshop of the 37th declaring it would fetch a “quid” in the morning. Smith endeavoured to prevail on McEvoy to give it up to him so that he might take it back but McEvoy persisted in keeping it.

At the Red Lion, McEvoy met the female prisoner who Smith said captivated him to that degree that he was a “gone coon” and perfectly unmanageable. But for her seductive influence he believed that McEvoy would have given him the lace and allowed him to restore it to the owner. He (Smith) remained in their company for some time hoping to get possession of the lace but he failed and he then proceeded to the barracks to give information. The police who were put upon the track of the prisoners learnt that they had slept together at a brothel upon the Commercial Quay and when they were apprehended they were in company of the woman having the lace in her pocket. The prisoner McEvoy on the charge being read to him at the Station House said the woman knew nothing about the robbery and that he had given her the lace to take back to the barracks. McEvoy now repeated the same statement and pleaded guilty to taking the lace but said he had not intended to steal it. The magistrates dismissed the charge against the woman but sentenced McEvoy to two months hard labour.

Information kindly supplied by Joyce Banks.

More reading of Dover at www.DoverHistory.co.uk

From the Dover Express and East Kent Intelligencer, 11 January, 1867. Price 1d.

CORONER'S INQUEST

An inquest was held by the borough coroner, W. H. Payne, Esq., yesterday afternoon, at the "Robin Hood Inn," Townwall Street, on the body of Nicholas Baker, a vendor of Bath bricks, who had died at the "Red Lion" public house, a common lodging house hard by, on the previous morning.

Click here for details.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 15 February, 1867.

WILFUL DAMAGE

Thomas Adams was charged with being drunk and disorderly, and with wilfully damaging a table the property of Mrs. Ann Whiting, of the "Red Lion." Defendant was sent to prison for seven days, in default of paying a fine of 5s. and costs.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday 26 April, 1867.

ASSAULTING A "SPECIAL"

Patrick M'Cabe was charged with assaulting a special-constable, Thomas Finnis, at the "Red Lion," St. James's Street, while in the execution of his duty.

Finnis said there was a disturbance at the "Red Lion" on the previous night, and he went in, at the request of the landlord, to eject some disorderly people. The prisoner was there, and interfered with him in the execution of his duty, pushing him aside and declaring that he should not take a woman into custody. Finnis seemed anxious to screen the prisoner, but the Magistrates considered the case a bad one, and in default of the prisoner paying a fine of 10s. and costs, sent him to prison for fourteen days.

From the Dover Express and East Kent Intelligencer, 30 October, 1868. Price 1d.

A NICE LODGER

George Dawkins was brought up by Police-constable Faith for being drunk and disorderly in St. James's-street.

Faith said that at eleven o'clock on Saturday night he saw the defendant tumble out of the "Red Lion" lodging-house with another man, and they commenced fighting. He was drunk, and refused to go away when told to do so.

Ann Whiting, landlady of the "Red Lion," said that the prisoner was very abusive, and made a disturbance; and she accordingly requested another lodger to put him out, which he did.

The Bench fined the defendant 1s. and costs, in all 8s., but allowed him to stay until Saturday to pay the amount.

From the Dover Express and East Kent Intelligencer, 18 December, 1868. Price 1d.

COUNTERFEIT COINS

Thomas White was charged on the information of Ann Whiting of the "Red Lion" public-house, St. James's Street, with uttering counterfeit coins.

Ann Whiting,: I keep the "Red Lion" public-house, in St. James's Street. Last evening about half-past eight o'clock, the prisoner, who has been lodging in my house about a fortnight, called for some beer, and tendered me the shilling produced in payment. When he gave me the coin, I passed it to my son, who handed it to a man named Fischer, who was sitting in the bar, and asked him if he thought it a good one. The prisoner was within hearing. The prisoner had some more beer, and afterwards called for some tobacco for which he paid with another shilling (also produced). I gave him 8d. in change for the first shilling, and, for the second, 10d. Previously to his giving me the second shilling I saw the small leather bag produced in his hand. I afterwards sent for the police, and gave the prisoner in custody on a charge of uttering counterfeit money. On going through the passage, after the prisoner had been removed by the police, I kicked against something, and found the bag produced. I recognised it as belonging to the prisoner, and told my son to take it to the station-house.

By the prisoner: I had no other shillings but the two you gave me at the time. I am certain I saw the bag in your hand as you stood at the bar.

Henry Whiting, son of the last witness: I was in the bar last evening, when the prisoner tendered the shillings in payment of the beer and tobacco. Mr. Fischer is a watchmaker, and I thought he would be likely to know whether the money was good; so I handed one of the shillings to him. I subsequently went with him to his house, and he tried the shilling with acid, and found that it was not a good one. After the prisoner was taken into custody my mother sent me with the bag produced to the police-station and I gave it to Police-constable Geddes. During the evening I had seen the nag in the prisoner's hand - it might have been about half an hour before the prisoner passed the first shilling.

Police-constable Geddes: I apprehended the prisoner, last evening, at the "Red Lion," on a charge, preferred against him by Mrs. Whiting, of passing bad money. The last witness gave information at the station-house, at the same time giving me one of the bad shillings, which had been tested with acid. On Mrs. Whiting giving the prisoner into custody she handed me the shilling. When taken into custody he threw upon the bar-counter 1s. 10d. in good coins, saying that was all the money he had. Nothing more was said by the prisoner. While the charge was being taken down the bag produced was taken to the police-station by the last witness; and it was opened in the presence of the prisoner. The first thing found was a handkerchief and on the Superintendent asking the prisoner where he had got it he said he had "thieved" it. He also said "The two shillings I gave Mrs. Whiting I took out of my shoe. I also took out of the bag five packages of bad money and a small leather bag in which were a bad two-shilling piece and a bad shilling. The five packages contained 33 two-shilling pieces and 12 shillings, all bad. The packages were all carefully wrapped up in tissue paper, a piece of tissue paper being placed between each coin, so as to prevent them rubbing. The two-shilling and shilling pieces are respectively from the same moulds, and bear the same date.

John Randolph Fischer, Chapel Lane, deposed to testing one of the shillings and finding it counterfeit.

The prisoner, who had nothing to say, was committed for trial at the Sessions.

From the Dover Express and East Kent Intelligencer, 22 January, 1869. Price 1d.

MORE DRUNKENNESS

James Epps and Sarah Cox were charged with drunkenness and disorderly conduct and also with causing an obstruction in Last Lane; but as this was their first appearance before the Bench, the Magistrates dismissed them on paying 2s. each for the hearing.

Charles Weedly was charged with being found drunk and disorderly in Queen Street, and also with assaulting an elderly woman named Bird.

It appeared in respect to the first charge, that the prisoner was found by police-constable Kemp kicking at a door in Queen Street on Saturday night, and declared that some one must find him a lodging till the morning. As he refused to desist or to go away, the police-constable was obliging enough to comply with his request, and lodged him in the station-house.

In respect to the charge of assault Mary Bird, an elderly woman living at the "Red Lion" public-house, St. James's Street, said she was at the "Red Lion" between six and seven o'clock on Saturday evening, when she saw the prisoner in company with three other men. She had previously seen them singing in the street, and upon her mentioning the fact the prisoner struck her twice in the eye.

The Magistrates fined the prisoner 1s. and costs, or seven days' imprisonment in the first case, and, for the assault, which they considered most unprovoked, 10s. and costs, or fourteen days' imprisonment, to commence on the expiration of the first term to which he had been sentenced.

The prisoner said he had no money, and he was therefore removed in custody.

From the Dover Express and East Kent Intelligencer, 25 October, 1871. Price 1d.

THE RED LION

The landlady of the “Red Lion” public-house in St. James’s Street, was summoned on the double charge of infringing her license by selling beer on Sunday morning last, and with keeping a disorderly house; but was dismissed on both information.

From the Dover Express and East Kent Intelligencer, 10 January, 1873. Price 1d.

ALLEGED INFRINGEMENT OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH ACT

Anne Palmer Coxen, the landlady of the "Red Lion," St. James's Street, appeared in answer to a summons charging her with receiving lodgers into a common-lodging house without a license.

The Town Clerk, Mr. W. Knocker, prosecuted on behalf of the Urban Sanitary Authority, and Mr. Worsfold Mowll defended.

It appeared from the evidence of Mr. Sims, the Inspector of Nuisances, who had visited the house on one or two occasions, that defendant had on the 6th instant let a living-room in her house to six people. The lodgers all affirmed, in the presence of the Board's officer, on his making enquiries, that they had slept four or five to a room together, being perfect strangers.

Mr. Knocker pointed out that this charge was grounded on the 66th section of the Public Health Act; and the penalty to which defendant had rendered himself liable to a fine of 40s.

In cross-examination Mr. Mowll, Mr. Sims said this was the first case of refusal to register that had come under his notice since he had held office as Inspector of Nuisances. He had known double-bedded rooms to exist in lodging-houses, but not rooms containing three beds.

Mr. Mowll addressed the Magistrates at some length in defence, and urged them to exercise the discretionary power with which the Legislation had entrusted them with regard to cases such as this one now before them.

The Magistrates said they had such doubt as to the meaning of the term, "Common Lodging Houses," under the Public Health Act, that they had determined to dismiss the case.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday 7 February, 1941.

The Licensing Sessions on Friday last, permission was given for the closing of the "Red Lion," St. James' Street, the licensee having been called up to serve in H.M. forces.

From the Dover Express. Friday 21st February 1919.

“Nap” at the Red Lion.

At the Dover Police Court on Monday, before Messrs. Hayward and Back, John Skinner, landlord of the “Red Lion Inn” St. James’s St., the holder of a Justice’s licence, was summoned for allowing an unlawful game to be carried on on the premises.

Mr. Vosper prosecuted; and Mr. R. Mowll defended, and pleaded not guilty.

Police Sergt. G. Lawrence said that on Friday January 31st, in company with P.C. Harman, he visited the “Red Lion” public-house, St. James’s St., at 3.25 p.m. In the kitchen he saw the defendant and two other men, lodgers, sitting at the tables playing cards. Beside one of the men was a pile of money, 1s 5d. and in front of the other 3d. The defendants luck was out, and he had none. Witness asked the defendant what it meant, and he said that they were having a friendly game of cards. They were playing “Ha’penny nap” He said that he was sorry; it was a “fair cop.” Witness took charge of the cards and the money.

Mr. Mowll said that it had been frankly put to Mr. Vosper as a technical offence. Mr. Skinner had been a licensed victualler for thirty years and for twenty years at this house. He had a common lodging-house, and had, he believed, always conducted it satisfactory. It was true that one could not have a game of “Ha’penny nap” without running the risk of a vigilant sergeant making what the defendant called a “fair cop.”

It took place in the kitchen and when the house was closed, and it was highly technical to regard it as an offence. He suggested that the case should be dismissed on payment of the costs.

The Magistrates cautioned the defendant and ordered the payment of the costs, 4s. and recommended him not to be “copped” again. The money was ordered to be placed in the poor box.

Information kindly supplied by Joyce Banks.

More reading of Dover at www.DoverHistory.co.uk

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 28 November 1958.

Derelict for nearly 15 years, the "Red Lion," St. James's Street, is now in the hands of the demolition squad.