From the Whitstable Times and Herne Bay Herald, 2 June 1860.

MAIDSTONE PETTY SESSIONS. Saturday.

(Before H. W. Joy, Esq., in the chair, and T. W. Allen, Esq.)

Thomas Brooker, beer-house keeper, was charged with keeping his house open for the sale of beer, after proper hours, on the 22nd inst.

Police Sergeant Rhodes said that upon entering defendant's house, he saw eight persons there, who were sitting down very comfortably, drinking, it was then nearly twelve o’clock. Defendant admitted that the party was present, but said that on that evening he had had a free and easy supper at his house. The company had left at eleven o’clock, but some of them returned after that hour for the purpose of making up the books, there not being time previously. There was no beer drawn after eleven o’clock. The Superintendent said it was the first time the defendant had been before the court, and the chairman said they were of opinion that the case was clearly proved, but they should fine him in the mitigated penalty of 10s. and costs. The money was paid.