From the Kent and Sussex Courier, 26 September, 1873.

BRENCHLEY. RIOTOUS HOPPERS.

Mary Brown, a hopper, was charged with being drunk, on the 20th inst., at Brenchley.

I.C. Holman said that on the night in question he saw a crowd of about 150 people round the door of the "Bull Inn." There he saw the defendant in a half-nude state, drunk and inciting the crowd to rescue a prisoner who was in the custody of P.C. Stanford. He was quite sure she was drunk. She had a large wound on the top of her head.

P.C. Stanford said she was drunk.

The woman’s husband said his wife was subject to screaming fits through over-excitement, and had been in Guy's Hospital.

The Bench fined the defendant 1s. and costs 9s. 11d.

From the Kent and Sussex Courier, 5, December 1873.

A PUBLICAN FINED FOR HARBOURING THE POLICE.

John Kenward, of the "Bull Inn," Brenchley, was summoned for keeping open his house for the sale of liquor during prohibited hours, on the night of the 17th Nov. There was also a second charge of harbouring a police-constable while on duty.

Mr Palmer, solicitor, defended.

Instructing-constable Holman stated that on the night of the 17th ult. he arrived at Brenchley village about twenty minutes before twelve o'clock, when he saw a man named Edward Lee go from his own house to the "Bull Inn," which was kept by the defendant. The landlord called out "Who’s there?" and Lee replied "Me, the sergeant," meaning the sergeant of volunteers. Lee was then admitted into the house, and on looking over the blinds witness saw Lee take a small bottle from his pocket and hand it to the landlady, and after it was filled with spirits it was handed back, when Lee paid for it, the landlord giving change. Lee called for two glasses of ale, one of which he drank himself and handed the other to P.C. Stanford, who was in the room at the time and Lee took money out to pay for it. Witness knocked at the door, and in about a minute afterwards he was admitted. Lee said that he had gone to get a drop of gin for his wife. By his watch it was twelve o’clock, but he afterwards found that his watch was five minutes fast.

Supt. Dance said that on the preceding day (Monday) he saw the defendant at Tonbridge, and had some conversation with him about the case. Defendant said Sergt. Lee called at the house for some spirits for his wife who was ill, and he was served. Lee asked for a glass of ale, but he (defendant) told him that he could not draw him any, but as there was some on the table he could have that if he liked. Stanford, the police constable, was in at the time and asked for a glass of ale which was given him. He (Supt Dance) reminded defendant that it was then three-quarters of an hour after time when the man was admitted.

Mr Palmer said that although his client might have broken the strict letter of the law he did so in ignorance. The ale which Lee and the constable drank had been left on the table by some lodgers, and the gin only was supplied on the very urgent request of Sergt. Lee.

Edward Lee, drill instructor at Brenchley, was then called, and Supt. Dance requested that he might be cautioned so that he might not say anything which on a future occasion might be used against him.

The witness then stated that he returned to Brenchley after being away from home all day, and his wife who was ill begged him to go across to the "Bull" and get a drop of gin, and he did so. He paid for the gin but the landlord refused to take payment for a glass of ale.

Defendant was then charged with harbouring P.C. Stanford, K.C.C., while on duty, at Brenchley, on the 17th ult.

The witness Holman was re-called, and made the following addition to his evidence—the landlord handed a glass of ale, which had a good head on, to the constable, and the landlady did not open the door until Stanford had made his escape by the back door. When he went into the house the back door was open. When he knocked at the door the landlady called out "who’s there," and he replied "police."

Cross-examined by Mr Palmer: He was the superior officer of Stanford. A police constable had the power of searching. He saw Stanford that night at twelve o’clock near the public house.

Defendant was called and said he closed at eleven o’clock. He had four lodgers, who worked for Dr. Murray, and they left on the table about a quart of ale. At about a quarter past eleven o’clock P.C Stanford called and was admitted. Stanford said he heard talking, and witness told him that the persons in the house were lodgers, and invited him to go down stairs and satisfy himself. The constable went and satisfied himself that they were lodgers; after which, he trimmed his lamp, and while he was doing that Sergeant Lee called, and asked for a little gin for his wife who was ill. This was supplied, and he did not think he was doing wrong. Lee asked for a glass of ale, remarking that he thought he was entitled to one after being out all day. Witness refused to draw him any, but Lee, on looking round, saw some on the table, and asked if he could not have some of that. Witness told him that he could have a glass of that, and Lee then said, "Give Stanford a drop; he is half a soldier." He handed Stanford a glass of ale, but whether he drank it or not he could not say. The constable was there about ten minutes. He was under the impression that in a case of illness it was his duty to supply a customer.

The Bench, in the first case, fined the defendant £1 and costs 11s. 11d. and in the second, £2 and 10s. costs, and ordered the convictions to be endorsed on the license.

Mr. Palmer asked that under the circumstances the license might not be endorsed with both convictions, and the Bench allowed that the second conviction only should be endorsed.

From the Kent and Sussex Courier, 12, December 1873.

BRENCHLEY.—THE BULL INN CASE.

Sergeant-Instructor Edward Lee pleaded guilty to being on licensed premises at unlawful hours, at Brenchley, on the 17th Nov.

Supt. Dance said they did not wish to press the case heavily. The constable who was found drinking in the house at the time had been reported, reduced from second-class to third, and removed to Hawkhurst, their worships last week thinking that sufficient. Mr Lee was a very respectable man, and no doubt his wife being ill was the reason why he went to the house for the gin. The landlord was convicted for supplying the gin and harbouring the policeman. His instructions were that when the landlord was convicted those in the house should be summoned.

Mr Goldsmid: It was Stanford, wasn’t it?

Supt Dance: Yes, he was found in the house at ten minutes to twelve o’clock. He has been reported, reduced, and removed.

Mr Goldsmid: Is there any evidence that the man drank the gin himself?

Supt. Dance: Yes, he drank some beer.

The Chairman: Although your wife was ill, that is no answer to this case. It might have been different had you gone first to a doctor, and he had ordered you to get some gin. But you drank some beer yourself, and we fine you 1s., and 9s. 11d. costs. We hope this will be a warning to others.

Mr. Goldsmid: If a man's wife is ill and he goes and gets liquor, that is no excuse for him to drink in the house himself.

Defendant: I should have to go three or four miles to a doctor, and by the time I get back a person might be dead.

Mr. Goldsmid: But you see you drank in the house yourself.

From the Kent and Sussex Courier, Friday 10 April 1874.

Temporary authority was granted to John Parkes, at the "Bull Inn," Brenchley.

From the Kent and Sussex Courier, 24 April 1874.

Transfers.

The licence of the "Bull Inn," Brenchley, was transferred from John Kenward to John Parks.

From the Kent and Sussex Courier, 26 June 1874.

Tonbridge Petty Sessuions. Alleged Assault.

John Parks, landlord of the "Bull Inn," Brenchley, was summoned for assaulting George Avards, at Brenchley, on the 13th inst.

Mr. Palmer defended.

Complainant said that his daughter lived with the defendant, and hearing that she was going to leave, he went to see her. He gave her a shilling, and ask for two-pence, and while he was standing in the passage the defendant came up, called him and old humbug, scoundrel, and scamp, and told him to go out. He told him he would when he had the two pence, but defendant collared him and threw him down. Mrs. Hales called upon defendant to let him go, but defendant kept him down, and tore his jacket.

By Mr. Parmer:- I am a brick-layer. It might be 3 months or 3 years since I last laid any bricks. Have been a beer-house keeper. I never asked for a renewal of the license, so the magistrates did not refuse me. Was not drunk. Mrs. Parks said I ought to be ashamed of myself. I was not abusing defendant's wife. He and his wife were ready to eat me, both of them. I never tried to resist him at all. He did not pull me down. I said I would not go out except through the front door. I did not swear at him. An hour afterwards I saw him taking the sign down, and I told him it would serve him right if I pulled the ladder down and smash him on the pavement.

Ann Sharp, wife of William Sharp, shoemaker, said she saw Avards standing in the passage at the "Bull," and heard Parks tell him to go out. Parks then tried to put him out, and witness then saw Avards down the passage.

By Mr. Palmer:- Could not say whether of Avards was drunk or sober.

Avards was then charged by Parks with being drunk and refusing to leave the licensed premises, at the same time and place.

Mr. Palmer supported the summons.

Mr. Parks said that Avards called at his house in a drunken state, and witness requested him to leave, as he was quarrelsome. Witness told him he would put him out, when he said, "You, you little B______, and then witnessed took him by the shoulders and attempted to put him out the back door. Defendant then twisted his legs round witness, and he fell on his back. Witness attempted to get him up, but he could not, and defendant said that if he was allowed to get out at the front door he would walk out. He went out, and when he got outside he swore at witness. Defendant at one time lodged with witness, but he was so drunk and quarrelsome that he was obliged to turn him away.

By defendant:- You did not say "Let Martha give me the 2 pence, and I'll go. You threatened to throw me off the ladder."

Henry Harris, plumber, said Avards was drunk and refused to leave the house when requested. A scuffle took place in the passage, and defendant was put out. Afterwards defendant threatened to throw complainant off the ladder.

Mr. Palmer said there were other witnesses to call; but the Bench considered they had heard sufficient. They dismissed the assault case, and fined Avards 5s. and costs 19s. for being drunk and refusing to leave the public house.

From the Kent and Sussex Courier, 30 August 1876.

BRENCHLEY: REFUSING TO QUIT.

Joseph Shaw, who did not appear, was summoned for being drunk, quarrelsome, and disorderly, and refusing to quit the "Bull Inn" when requested to do so, on the 21st August.

Mr Parkes, the landlord of the house, proved the case, and the Bench fined the defendant £3 and costs, or in default two months’ hard labour.

Virgil Hickmott, a labourer, was charged with a similar offence at the same house.

Defendant pleaded guilty, and was fined 30s and 9s. coats, or in default seven days’ hard labour, but the Bench allowed him a week to pay in.

Kent & Sussex Courier 16 November 1900.

TUNBRIDGE PETTY SESSIONS TRANSFERS.

The following licenses were transferred:- The "Bull Hotel," Brenchley, from Mr. Frank Wadlow to Mr. H. J. Harrison.

Above letter 1956, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe, which says the following:-

Dear Sirs, My wife and I are desirous of an interview with you to discuss several matters concerning the above premises. Trusting you can arrange an early date, Yours faithfully, G Wells