Photo taken from http://www.crescentmoonweb.co.uk/rusthall

Maidstone Journal and Kentish Advertiser, 03 September 1870.

Beerhouse offence.

Robert Winnifrith, landlord of the "Marquee Tavern," Rusthall, was summoned for permitting beer to be drunk on his premises during prohibited hours.

Mr Cripps defended.

P.C. Waghorn said that he and P.C. Seager were on duty at the New Town, Rusthall, near the "Marquee Tavern," and observing a light there, and hearing someone talk, he went up to the house. It was then about half-past three o'clock in the morning, and he saw the shadow on the window blind of a man who was smoking, take the glass off the table and drink something. They remained there until about four o'clock, when Seager rapped at the door whilst witness looked at the window. No one came, and he rapped a second time, when someone went from the front room to the back. They knocked again, and then the door was opened. Witness walked in and saw three men inside, and one of them had a glass with something like ginger beer in it. He took up a candle, and telling them that they had put the beer in the other room went there and found two half pint glasses partially full of beer. One of the men went out of the house down the lane, but witness went after him and overtook him, when he believed he gave a wrong name and address. He said he was James Faircloth, of Leigh, but he believed it was his brother. He called several times for the defendant but he did not put in an appearance. Mr Cripps contended that it had not been proved that beer was drunk, but the Bench said they thought the evidence sufficient to lead them to the conclusion that an offence has been committed, and fined defendant £1, and 7s. costs.

A case for appeal, asked by Mr Cripps, was granted.