Sevenoaks Chronicle and Kentish Advertiser, Friday 14 May 1909.

A Chipstead publican in trouble.

Strange conduct in a licensed house.

At the Sevenoaks Police Court, on Wednesday, before W. S. J. Crosby-Hill, Esq., (in the chair,) and F. L. Bevan, Esq., William Hodges, landlord of the "Crown Inn," Chevenham, was brought up charged with being drunk on his own premises, on the 11th inst.

Defendant pleaded not guilty.

P.C. Fry stated that about 7:30 the previous evening he was walking down the main street at Chipstead in plain clothes, and when opposite the "Crown Inn" he heard screams from children. He went inside the house. There was nobody in the bar, but in the adjoining room he saw the prisoner struggling with his wife in possession of a sewing machine. This was one of their private rooms, which opened into the bar. He was then very much under the influence of drink. He told the prisoner not to come any more into the bar that evening, and that he would report him. At 9:30 he was on duty in Chipstead Street, and when outside the "Crown Inn" he heard the prisoner in the bar swearing and using filthy language towards a butcher, who was in the bar. He heard someone say "There's a policeman outside," and prisoner said "I don't care for 40 policemen." Witness went inside the bar and saw the prisoner, who was in charge of the bar, and was very drunk, staggering when he walked from one end to the other. He tried to persuade the man to go to bed and his wife brought him a candle. He refused to go, pushed the candle up against the officers tunic and struck him on the neck. Witness then told him he would have to go to Sevenoaks. He then caught hold of the engines in the bar and refused to leave go. Witness called a man to his assistance in the bar, and when the man tried to release one hand the prisoner let go of the handle of the engine and struck the man on the jaw. After great difficulty they got him outside and he became very violent in the road. He kicked the officer on the knee, struck the man who assisted him, and tore his clothes. They had to hold the prisoner on the ground until they could get a conveyance to take him to the police station at Sevenoaks. Coming along in the trap prisoner said "When I come out of this I will finish you off. I've got a shovel in my lodge all ready to dig your grave with."

P.C. Marsh, lock-up keeper, said about 10:30 the previous evening he received the prisoner from the last witness. He was very drunk and very excited. On searching him he found a small flask, empty, which had contained whiskey. He asked him twice if he would like a doctor to see him, and he replied that no doctor would do him any good.

Replying to Superintendent Taylor witness said the man when brought in was not in a fit state to conduct a licensed house - far from it. He had hardly recovered from the effects of the drink then.

Superintendent Taylor said he has received many complaints about the defendant, and some time ago he cautioned him about his conduct. He advised him to give up his drinking habits, but since then had received numerous complaints about great disturbances especially on a Sunday night - falling out with his wife and family.

Mr. Newton secretary to Messrs. Bushell, Watkins and Co., brewers, said the defendant was under notice to quit. His time would be out in 2 months, but they hoped to get a new tenant in a day or two. He have been under notice a month.

The Chairman (addressing the prisoner) said it was fortunate for him that Superintendent Taylor did not press the charge of assault upon the police. If that had been so the sentence would have been considerably heavier. He had to thank the Superintendent for not pressing that charge. It was a very serious matter to get drunk on his own licensed premises. He had forfeited his chance of getting another license. The sentence would be a fine of 10s., 7s. costs, and 3s. conveyance £1 all together - or 14 days.