Kent Times, 8 February 1862.

WEST MALLING. Petty Sessions.

Monday. Present: J. W. Stratford, Esq. (in the chair), the Hon. and Rev. Sir F. J. Stapleton, Bart., Arimaral Randolph, Colonel Fletcher, R. Rodger, Esq., J. Savage, Esq, R. Tassell, Esq. Captain Cheere, and M. H. Dalison, Esq.

Robert Wilmore of East Malling, publican, was charged with permitting drunkenness in his house, contrary to the tenor of his license.

Police-constable Fuller said that on the afternoon of Sunday, the 6th of January, he was on duty in the street of Newhithe, when he saw three men, who were drunk, leave the house kept by the defendant, and known as the "Ferry House." He (the witness) was in plain clothes at the time. He went to defendant's house, and in the tap-room he saw about a dozen men, many of whom were drunk. He rapped at the door leading from the tap-room to the bar, and a voice, evidently that of a woman, called out to enquire who it was. He replied "Police," and demanded admittance when the woman said she did not care who it was, she wouldn't open the door for any one. There was talking in the other part of the house, and he could hear them knocking the pots together. Some of the men called out that there was no beer in their pots, and he might look if he pleased. He went round to the front part of the house, and went through the washhouse into the passage leading to the bar, followed by the landlord, who pushed him into a small room and asked him to have something to drink, and not to take any notice of what he had seen, he asked the landlord why he did not clear his house, and he replied that he should have whom he liked in his house, and that he (the constable) did not see any beer about. There was one man there, named Crowhurst, who was very drunk, and who abused him very much and assaulted him.

William Taylor, a railway porter, said he happened to pass the defendant's house at the time spoken of by the last witness, when he saw about a dozen men turned out of the house. One of them he knew was drunk, for he watched him and saw him follow and abuse the constable. He did not notice the other men so much, as he went to help the constable.

The defendant called three witnesses who were among the men in his house, and who swore positively that no beer was drank while they were present, and that there was not a drunken man among them.

Defendant was fined £1, including costs.

He was next charged with refusing to admit the constable to a part of his house, when he (the constable) had reason to believe that persons were there drinking in unlawful hours on a Sunday.

Fuller repeated the evidence given above, and the defendant was convicted in a second penalty of £2, including costs. The money was paid.

James Crowhurst, of East Malling, labourer, was then charged with assaulting and obstructing the constable (Fuller) while in the execution of his duty.

The case arose out of the former transactions, and defendant pleaded that he did not know Fuller was a constable when he came to the house.

Fuller said that while he was talking to the landlord, the defendant in the last cases, Crowhurst pushed him about and abused him, asking what business he had to come and disturb them. He (Fuller) was in plain clothes. Defendant followed him out of the house and continued his abuse, and struck at him several times. He at length caught hold of his arms and hold him, when defendant kicked his shins. The witness Taylor came at his call to his assistance, but as they were taking defendant from the crowd, he was rescued. Defendant was very drunk.

The evidence of Fuller was corroborated by William Taylor.

Fined £1 4s., including costs, or three weeks. The money was paid.