From the Dover Express and East Kent Intelligencer, 21 January, 1865.

COUNTY POLICE COURT

BURGLARY AT THE "SWINGATE INN"

Thomas Butler, alias John Myres, a middle-aged man of sinister appearance, who described himself as a journeyman tailor lodging at the "Red Lion" public house, in this town, was brought up in custody of two officers of the Kent County Constabulary, charged with burglariously entering the "Swingate Inn," in the parish of Westcliffe, on the night of the 13th or the morning of the 14th inst. and stealing a coat, six silver teaspoons, a quantity of tobacco, about 13s. 6d. in money, a bottle of shrub, and some other property, valued in all by the proprietor of the Inn, Mr. W. Prescott, at 50s.

Mr. William Prescott said he kept the "Swingate Inn," in the parish of Westcliffe, near Dover. He fastened up his house securely previous to retiring to rest on the night of the 13th. He went to bed about eleven o'clock. There were shutters to the front windows, and these were fastened. The back windows were without shutters, but were fastened by a means of a pin, which went through the inside stile and held the outer stile so as to prevent the window being opened in the ordinary way. There were no lodgers in the house. Himself and his wife were the only inmates. He was disturbed two or three times during the night by what he thought was the wind, and once he got up. This was as near two o'clock as he could tell. He went upstairs into a room over that in which he slept, to see if anything had blown adrift, but he found everything right, and returned to his bedroom. He was still unsatisfied, however, and he therefore put on some of his clothes and went down stairs, carrying a light with him. He first went into the bar, and as soon as he entered the room he saw that the house had been robbed. The front window was open. All the drawers in the bar were drawn out, and rifled of their contents. A desk standing in the room had been broken open, and the drawers of that also pulled out. The room was in great disorder, about a pound of tobacco being strewn upon the floor. He then looked about to see by what means an entrance had been effected. On going over the house he found that the door was open connecting the wash-house with the kitchen had been opened, the lock having been taken off. Entrance had been obtained to the wash-house by the window, the fastening of which had been undone. He was certain it had been fastened the night before. The door connecting the wash-house with the kitchen was fastened with a stock-lock, screwed on upon the wash-house sides, and the screws holding it had been removed. The amount of money taken from the bar was 10s. as nearly as he could say - silver and copper together. The silver consisted of two six-pences and three or four threepenny or fourpenny pieces. From the desk half a dozen silver spoons had been taken. The spoons were marked "H.S." Those produced were the same. Besides these spoons were an old fashioned tea spoon, broken in halves, and a metal spoon. Among the other things taken were a pair of spectacles, a pair of scissors, two pocket handkerchiefs, an old coat, and a bottle of shrub. At the side of the desk he observed a screw-driver, which had overnight been left in his basket in the kitchen. A chisel also, which was found lying near the lock taken off the kitchen door, had been removed from the place in which it had been left the night before.

Magistrate: Did you ever see the prisoner before?

Witness: A man was in my house a long time on Friday, and the prisoner is the same as nearly as I can say. He came in soon after eleven in the morning and was served with a glass of beer and half a screw of tobacco, and he remained till twenty minutes to four. During the time he was there he asked at what time the Deal coach would pass. I did not notice whether the prisoner had anything with him. He was dressed in dark clothes as at present, and wore a black hat.

Isabella Whiting, a girl about thirteen years of age, said he mother kept the "Red Lion," St. James's Street. The prisoner had been lodging there for the past week or fortnight. She was able to say that he was not in the house on Friday night, but he came to the bar on Saturday morning about nine o'clock and asked for a black bag belonging to him which had been left there. She gave him the bag, and after a short time he brought it back again and placed it under the table.

George Dawkins said he was a labourer lodging at the "Red Lion." He slept on the ground floor. Early on Saturday morning, the prisoner, who had also been lodging at the "Red Lion," knocked at the shutters and asked to be admitted. Witness answered him and opened the shutters. Prisoner said it was about one o'clock, but soon afterwards he heard a clock strike three or four, he would not be quite certain which. The head of witness's bed was close to the window shutters, and on opening the window he told prisoner he had better get in that way, as it would save him the trouble of getting up to open the door. On getting into the room prisoner asked him to drink from a bottle, saying it contained brandy, which had been given to him by his sister, who had had a party, to which he had been, his sister having given him the bottle on his leaving. He did drink from the bottle, but it did not contain brandy. It tasted very much like shrub.

Ellen Summerfield, another lodger at the "Red Lion," said she was sleeping in the same room as the last witness on Friday night. She had been asleep some time, when she heard a knocking at the shutters. She awoke with a great fright. She saw Dawkins opening the shutters, and asked him who he was letting in. He told her to hold her tongue, for it was all right, as he was only letting in the tailor. The prisoner then got in at the window. He asked her to have some brandy, but she declined. He gave Dawkins some and then passed out of the room. She knew the prisoner from his having lodged at the same house for some little time. From her notion of the time she had slept, she thought it was three or four o'clock when the prisoner came home in the manner described. The next morning, when witness got up, the prisoner was sitting by the fire in the taproom, drinking beer and smoking. He asked her to get him some breakfast, and she did so, and afterwards took breakfast with him. He said he had been to his sister's, to a party, on the night before, and that he was not going to work for a short time. He also said he wished her not to say anything about his coming home at the time he did. During the day he treated those who were in the taproom with several pots of beer.

John Isaiah Pope: I am a sergeant in the Kent County Constabulary. In consequence of information received I went to the "Swingate" public house about three o'clock on Saturday afternoon. I examined the premises. [Witness's description of their condition corresponded with that given by the prosecutor, and left no doubt that the house had been entered from the rear.] I then went to the "Red Lion," in St. James's Street. On going into the taproom I saw the prisoner sitting by the fire. Several other lodgers, male and female, were in the room. The prisoner answered the description which had been given me by the prosecutor of the man who had stayed so long at the house on the day previous to the burglary, but he was wearing a Scotch cap, instead of a hat. A Dover constable was in my company. I asked the prisoner to walk with me into another room, which he did. I then asked him if he was away from Dover on Friday or on Friday night. He replied, "No, I went to bed at ten o'clock in the evening." I asked him if he slept up stairs, and he said "Yes," adding that he had lodged in the house for a week. I then asked him if he ever wore a hat or a black overcoat, and he replied, "No, I never wear a hat, and all I have is what I stand upright in." He asked why I put these questions, and I told him a burglary had been committed either that morning or the previous night, and that he answered the description of a man who had been loitering about the premises in the afternoon. On asking him if he had any objection to be searched there and then. He said no, and he was searched in my presence by the Dover constable. In his pocket he found a "porkmonio."

Magistrate: Call it a purse. What do we want with these French words? You can't pronounce it, and you'd better say purse.

Constable: Yes, Sir, "purse." (A laugh.) In the purse was 1s. in silver, three sixpences, three threepenny piece, one fourpenny piece, 10½d. in coppers, and a French coin. I then went upstairs to the bed occupied by prisoner, and there I found the coat I produced under the mattress. The coat was wet and apparently had been recently placed there. Having taken charge of the coat, I went to the bar, where I found a black bag, which I produced. It contained the six silver spoons marked "H.S.," a small spoon broken in halves, a metal teaspoon, 9s. 7d. in coppers, a pair of scissors, a pair of spectacles, 3¼oz of tobacco, done up in "screws," and two pocket handkerchiefs, besides some needles and thread and a tailor's thimble. I then returned to the prisoner and charged him with committing the burglary. He made no answer, and I took him to the station house and locked him up. Among the prisoner's things at the "Red Lion" a black overcoat an hat were also found.

This completed the evidence, and the prisoner, having been cautioned, was asked if he had anything to say.

Prisoner answered that he had not except that the female witnesses had not told the truth.

The Magistrates committed him for the next Maidstone trials.

From the Dover Express and East Kent Intelligencer, 16 July, 1869. Price 1d.

INQUEST BY THE COUNTY CORONER

An inquest was held on Saturday afternoon at the "Swingate Inn" before the County Coroner, T. T. Delasaux, Esq., on the body of Robert Hall Edwards, a gentleman who committed suicide by cutting his throat. It is believed he was a merchant from London.

William Stoner, a member of the County Constabulary, of the parish of Westcliffe, deposed: I was sent for this morning, at about eight o'clock, and in consequence of something said to me I went to the "Swingate Inn," and on arriving there I requested to enter the bedroom of the lodger, but not being able to make him hear, I procured a ladder, placed it against the side of the house, and ascended it. I looked in the window of the bedroom, and there saw the deceased lying on the floor. Shortly afterwards I managed to get into the room, and then I saw the deceased lying on the floor in a pool of blood, a razor being within a yard from the body, covered with blood. I also found on him a pocket book, some cards, a knife, and three shillings in silver.

george Potter, a brick-maker, living at Guston, deposed: I have looked at the body of the deceased, and identified it as that of a person who I saw yesterday morning at Swingate, on his way to St. Margaret's  to see the school there, as he had been there himself some twenty-five years ago. he was perfectly rational to speak to at the time. I saw the deceased again in the evening, and spent an hour in conversation with him at the "Swingate Inn," where he appeared to be very drowsy and desponding.

Juilius Potter, a brick-maker, living at Guston, said: The evidence of the police-constable is quite correct, and I ascended the ladder to which he alludes, and got in by the window, which I smashed, opened the bedroom door, which was locked on the inside, and let the constable in. I also saw the deceased as described by William Stoner, and I cannot add any more evidence to his deposition.

Richard Jones of the parish of Westcliffe deposed: I am landlord of the "Swingate Inn." The deceased came to my house yesterday afternoon, about four o'clock, and had a biscuit and cheese and a glass of ale. he told me that he wanted to go to St. Margaret'sas he had been educated there about 25 years ago, and went away in that direction. About eight o'clock the same evening he returned to my house, and engaged a bed for the night, and spent the evening in the house with other customers, going into the bowling green and smoking a cigar. He afterwards had supper, which consisted of eggs and two four-penny-worths of brandy and water. He retired to rest at half-past eleven, and I saw him as far as his bedroom, where I left him, and took his boots away. The deceased asked me to call him at half-past seven. I went to his bedroom this morning at that time, knocked the door several times but getting no answer I feared something was wrong, and sent for the police-constable, who very soon came, accompanied by Mr. Julius Potter. The deceased, when he retired to rest last evening, ordered his breakfast, which was to consist of tea, ham, and eggs. He appeared perfectly sane and rational.

John Walter surgeon, residing at Dover, said: I have completely examined the body of the deceased. I found him lying on the floor on his right side, his left arm lying over his head, with a very deep wound in his throat, such as could be inflicted by the razor nor produced. It was evidently the act of the deceased by his hand, and was the cause of his death.

The following extract was found in the deceased's pocket-book:- "I thought the water under Shakespeare's cliff was very deep, but not wishing to be smashed to a mummy I preferred the razor."

The Jury returned a verdict, "That deceased cut his throat, but there was not any evidence to show in what state of mind  he was when he committed the act."

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 6 September, 1874. Price 1d.

ANNUAL LICENSING MEETING

TWO HOUSES

The Magistrates refused to grant the renewal of the license of the “Rose and Crown” to William Johnson, as he was also the keeper of the “Swingate Inn,” Deal Road.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday 28 June, 1878

DESERTER

William Brown was brought up and charged with being a deserter from the 2nd Battalion 6th Regt., stationed at the Citadel.

The Constable found the prisoner at half-past six this morning at Swingate, and on his failing to produce a pass, he took him into custody as a deserter.

Prisoner was ordered to be sent back to his Regiment.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday 22 January, 1884. 1d.

Leonard Wraike, landlord of the “Swingate Inn,” was summoned for selling whiskey 31 below proof.

The Bench fined the defendant 5s. and 10s. costs.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 14 August, 1914. Price 1d.

DRUNK IN CHARGE OF A MOTOR CAR

At a sitting of the Dover County Police Court on Saturday before the Messrs. F. W. Prescott (in the chair), and T. A. Terson.

Peter John Shrubsole was charged with having been drunk in charge of a motor car, on the public highway, at Dover road, in the parish of West Cliffe, and also with failing to produce his licence.

P.C. Wilding, K.C.C. stationed at Deal said: About 8.20 yesterday evening I was on duty near the “Swingate Inn,” West Cliffe, when I saw a motor car driven by defendant approach from the direction of Dover. When about 50 yards away the car suddenly swerved to the off side and slid sideways for about 15 feet down the road. The car was then driven up to a gateway on the off side, stopped dead, and shot back across the road almost into a telegraph post. Defendant then turned the car in the direction of Dover, stopped it, reversed it and backed almost against the “Swingate Inn.” In company with P.C. Barker and a military officer I approached the defendant and asked him where he was going. He said he came from Dover, and drove for Mr. Elliott. I said, “You have been drinking.” He replied, “I know I have.” I said, “You are drunk and not fit to be in charge of the car,” and told him to get out. He alighted from the car in which were two of his friends. He spoke incoherently and smelt of drink, whilst his eyes were half closed. I asked him to produce his licence, but he said he had left it at Dover. I brought him to the Dover Police Station on a trolley. Witness in reply to the Chairman said the car was going too fast.

Defendant said that he was not guilty of being drunk. An hour after he was stopped he saw a doctor. He admitted that he failed to produce his licence.

The Magistrates’ Clerk said that at 9.20 p.m., on August 7th, Dr. Long certified that he had examined defendant and considered he had been drinking heavily, but that he was not at the time of examination, the worse for drink.

P.C. Barker of Deal, said that he corroborated the evidence of P.C. Wilding.

Defendant said that at about 6.30 he was driving Dr. Elliott. He came home, adjusted the brakes, went to the “Sussex” and had a drink, leaving at 10 minutes to 8. he went on the Deal Road, and got to the “Swingate” at 10 minutes past 8. Just before he got there two old men came out from the hedge and he put on the brakes and the car swerved and he ran into a gateway. He reversed, went forward again, and then ran back to the “Swingate.”

In reply to Mr. Prescott defendant said the reason for him leaving his licence (which he produced in Court) at home was because he was called out and put on an old coat instead of his driving coat in which he kept it.

The Magistrates’ Clerk said that in January 1909 defendant was charged with driving a car without a light.

Defendant in reply to the Clerk said that he had been driving for Dr. Elliott for nearly four years. He was examined by Dr. Long at his own request.

The Chairman said defendant had a narrow escape of being sent to prison for this affair. For being drunk he would be fined the maximum penalty of 40s. and for failing to produce the licence he would be fined 10s., and have to pay the costs 9s. 6d.; the total payment being £2 19s. 6d. for which he would be allowed a week in which to pay; in default a month’s imprisonment.

From the Dover Express and East Kent Intelligencer, 12 April, 1929. Price 1½d.

FOUND DEAD AT FOOT OF CLIFF

On Wednesday, Mr. Arthur Tuson, who lives at 1, Buckland Cottages, Guston, and is a gardener at the Duke of York’s School, was missed during the day, and a piece of paper was found with the words “Good-bye all.” Later his cap was found on the cliff near the Old Coastguard Cottages, Cornhill, and a search was made at the foot of the cliff, and eventually his body was found by Mr. Atkins, of St. Margaret’s. As it was impossibly to get it up the cliffs that night, it was placed on a ledge, and on Thursday morning the Police succeeded in getting the body up the cliff by Langdon Stairs, and it was taken to the “Swingate Inn.” The inquest has not yet been fixed, and it may not be held until Saturday.

From the Dover Express and East Kent Intelligencer, 19 April, 1929. Price 1½d.

THE CLIFF SUICIDE

DELUSION LEAD TO FATAL FALL

The inquest of Arthur Tuson, of Brickfield Cottage, Guston, who was found dead at the foot of the cliff at Langdon Hole on Wednesday last week was held at “Swingate Inn” on Friday afternoon by the East Kent Coroner, Mr. W. Rutley Mowll, who sat with a Jury. Mr. W. L. Norris being the foreman.

The Coroner said they had the inquire into the death of Arthur Tuson, (49), of Brickfield Cottages, Guston. It appeared he had been depressed and under the impression that people were against him, and spoke about his letters being opened, and said people despised him and were always talking about him. He was missing at 10.30 on the 10th April and his son-in-law went down to the School where he worked and found pinned ton a fence on the way an envelope on which were the words, “Please don’t move this,” and on the other side “Disused railway.” The son-in-law recognised the hand-writing and went along by the railway line to the cliffs, where he found the deceased cap on the cliff at Cornhill. He reported the matter to the Police and they in consequence patrolled the foreshore with a boatman and found the body lying at the foot of the cliffs. It was taken to the top and then conveyed to Swingate.

John Augustine Swain, of 12, Trevanion Street, Dover, a brush-hand, identified the body as that of his father-in-law, Arthur Tuson. He was 49 and a gardener at the Duke of York’s R.M. School. He last saw him alive on Sunday night, and he seemed the same as usual and very happy. He told witness that certain people in Guston had been worrying him and letters of his had been opened. He was under the impression that people despised him. He never used to say much to the deceased when he spoke in that way, as he believed he was imaginative. As far as he knew he had no trouble. On Wednesday morning, 10th April, his wife and her brother came to him and said the deceased was missing. He left work immediately and went to Guston and found that everything in the house was intact. He thought he had lost his memory and was wandering about. He went to the Duke of York’s School to see if he had reported for work and on the way he found the envelope (produced) sticking to a post beside a tree near the Swingate Bridge. He recognised the hand-writing which was in a blue pencil. The words “Please do not move this,” on one side, and on the other “Disused railway.” He patrolled the railway for some distance and then sent for the Police. He followed the railway again later down to the cliffs, and near the houses on the cliffs he found the deceased’s cap. At 10.30 on Wednesday, when his wife, and brother-in-law reported the matter to him, they produced a little piece of newspaper edging, but he thought that was now lost. On it was written “Good bye all.” This piece of paper was found by the son under a plate in the kitchen.

The Coroner: it looks to me as if he was suffering from delusions.

Yes, I think so too.

Arthur William Tuson (25), of Brickfield Cottages, Guston, an electrician, said he last saw his father on Tuesday evening and he seemed very depressed. He had an idea he was going to get the “sack” from the school. He did not know he was missing until 7 o’clock on Wednesday morning, and he discovered the piece of paper under his plate. He went upstairs to see if his father’s best clothes had gone as he had spoken of going to Essex to take up brickmaking. He did not have a doctor. He told his sister that the deceased was missing.

P.C. Hopper, K.C.C., stationed at St. Margaret’s, said he was informed by Swain, and in consequence he patrolled the foreshore towards Dover. At the foot of the cliffs at Cornhill, where they were 300ft. high, he found the deceased. He was lying face downwards in a crevice between the rocks and the cliffs. The body was fully dressed and had received severe injuries. He searched the body and found a knife in one of the pockets. He carried the body to the foot of Langdon Stairs and with assistance got the body to the top of the cliff, and later to the “Swingate Inn.” He knew the deceased, who always seemed to be a steady man.

Dr. Theodore Molesworth, F.R.C.S., practising at St. Margaret’s, said he examined the body on Thursday afternoon and found multiple injuries, which comprised scalp wounds, fracture of the left ankle, compound dislocation of the right ankle and ribs broken on both sides of the chest. Both arms were also broken, and he thought that death must have been rapid. The injuries were quite consistent with his having fallen over the cliff.

The Coroner said they could have no doubt that this was a case where the man, probably without any justification at all, except that he was suffering from delusions, decided to take his own life by throwing himself over the cliffs.

The Jury returned a verdict of suicide whilst of unsound mind.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 12 April, 1935.

"SWINGATE" INN COLLISION

Ernest Walter Crump, a Deal garage proprietor, was summonsed for driving without due care and attention and for failing to stop after an accident.

Mr. A. K. Mowll appeared for the defendant and pleaded guilty to both charges.

Superintendent Webb said the defendant was driving his car at about 10.30 p.m. on February 17th on the Deal-Dover Road in the direction of Dover. He was between the "Swingate" Inn and the bridge which goes over the light railway when a collision occurred between his car and a motor van driven by Mrs. Archer, of Alpha Road, Deal which was coming in the opposite direction. Just before the collision the car had passed a man on foot and, according to his statement, and that of Mr. Spain, another motorist, it appeared hat the defendant was driving the car rather too fast to take the bend in the road. defendant's conduct following the accident was rather unexplainable for he made no attempt to stop. Mr. Archer got out of the van and stopped another car and followed the defendant into Dover. In the Market Square he lost him, but later picked him up at Rennie's Club. Crump gave his name as Little and they went to see the car he had been driving. Mr. Archer pointed out the damage that had been done but defendant denied being in an accident that evening. He said the damage occurred at Ramsgate that morning. P.C. Ivory of Deal, later interviewed the defendant who then admitted being the driver of the car involved in the accident. He thought the impact was not sufficient t cause any serious damage. Apparently the defendant must have had a fair collision for the window and doors of the car were smashed and the head lamp, window, and door handle of the van were damaged.

Mr. Mowll said there would have been no accident at all if the driver of the van had kept to the proper side. The defendant inquired of a Mr. Davison, who was in his car, whether there had been an accident and was told the other car had not stopped. When asked who was the owner of the car, defendant said Mr. Little. This man had an extremely fine record for he had driven for 21 years without a driving offence.

The Chairman said they did not look upon it as a light case and all an imposed a fine of £10 for the first offence and £5 for the second, or three months in default. Defendant's licence was ordered to be endorsed.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 18 September, 1936.

Occasional Licenses

An occasional licence was granted for the "Swingate" Inn, Guston, on October 14th, from 10.30 a.m. to 5 p.m., for a sale at Solton Farm.

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

The scene at the Swingate Inn on Saturday, as the West Street and East Kent Hunts gathered for their joint meet.

Little Terrier Had The Best of the Sport.

With a joint force of over fifty riders and thirty couples of hounds, the East Kent and West Street Hunts met at Swingate on Saturday morning. Ahead of them they had a day of excitement  which only ended at darkness fell.

The day began with punch from the stirrup cup at the Swingfield Inn and ended with a double kill by match glow in a liar near Church Whitfield.

A large crown saw the Hunts set off, but few were left to see the kill, after a sixty minute fight between fox and terrier.

The first scent took the Hunts to Guston, where the field of nearly fifty made a wonderful sight.

The second scent was picked up in a field of kale on Sutton Downs. But the cunning fox low until the hounds had moved on, and then made a dash for it through a crown of stunned followers.

The alarm was raised and the hounds and riders set off in close pursuit. The chase led through lanes and fields to a burrow near Church Whitfield.

By the time the fox had gone to earth most of the riders had given up, as it was getting dark and horses had to be put away in their boxes.

A terrier was put down the burrow and the hounds could hear the fight, deep in the clay. Spades and shovels set to work, and it was getting dark by the time the terrier - at grips with the fox - was unearthed.

But a surprise awaited the digging huntsmen. As they shot one fox - with a humane killer - a second was found cowering behind it.

This was also shot, and both were thrown to the waiting, yelping and frenzied hounds.

The little terrier? Covered in mud, he was full of life. He, at least, enjoyed the "sport."

From the Dover Express, 23 January, 1970

Above: Some of the twenty-two competitors before they set off on the West Street Pony Club's treasure hunt at "Swingate Inn" on Sunday.