From the Southeastern Gazette, 29 May 1866.

Petty Sessions, Friday. (Before C. T. Colquhoun, Esq., in the chair, M. Lambarde and C. R. C. Petley, Esqrs.)

Niel Mc. Nab, beerhouse keeper, of Stone-street, Seal, was charged with having his house open for the sale of beer during the prohibited hours, on Sunday, the 13th inst.

Southern, K.C.C., said that he went to the house about half-past eleven on the morning in question, and on the table in the tap-room there were two pots containing beer, but there was only one person in the room. He went in at the side door, and when he went out by the front door, about four minutes afterwards, he saw three men running across the orchard. These men must have left the house by the front door when he entered at the side.

George Hadley, a gardener in the neighbourhood, said that he called on the defendant that morning to give him some instructions in practical gardening, and the beer in one of the pots on the table was drawn for him. No men had been in the house.

The Chairman admitted that there was some difficulty in the case, but they had decided upon convicting him in a penalty of 2s. 6d., and the costs were 10s.