Kentish Mercury, Saturday 28 October 1865.

A NEIGHBOUR.

Johanna Fraud, married woman, was charged with being drunk, creating a disturbance, and assaulting Mr. Charles Packham, landlord the "White Hart" public house, in the parish Orpington.

It appeared by the evidence of the prosecutor that on Monday evening last the prisoner, who had been drinking, came to the front of his bar and called for something to drink, which he carried into the tap room to her. When he told her that he intended to give her notice to quit the adjoining house, which she rented from him; no doubt being guided the old maxim that an empty house better than bail tenant. This appeared to annoy her, and she began to talk in alto, sharp. Told her to keep quiet, there was a gentleman named Fry, of Blackheath suffering in the house from an accident. Instead of desisting, however, she went to the front of the bar, and shouting upstairs the sick gentleman, called him very bad names. Mr. Fry requested that she might be turned out of the house, which witness managed to do, after much trouble, and then gave her into the custody of police-constable Besom, who had still much greater trouble in conveying her to the station; where she bit his thumb. Police sergeant 16 deposed to receiving the prisoner from the constable, who was not, however, in attendance before the Bench. Mr. Coles Child said the constable should have been present, as without his evidence the case was incomplete. The prisoner, in defence, could only account for what had happened to her having had a quartern gin at the ba, and a quartern of gin, and the same of brandy, in the tap-room, of which Mr. Packham partook. she had done wrong she was very sorry for it. Inspector Linvell having stated that there was a similar case against her at Sidcup, about twenty-four weeks ago, the prisoner said she would never drink another half-pint beer in her lifetime. The prosecutor said the prisoner was in his house about three hours; but the magistrates told him they thought he had acted very injudiciously in supplying the woman with more drink when she was in liquor. The prisoner said she spent 4s. in the house during the time she was there. This being so, there must evidently have been a pretty long session of three quarterns. There was second charge against the prisoner of creating a disturbance the "White Hart" on Saturday last, whilst out on bail the recent-recorded charge, and which the Bench now determined to take. The prisoner pleaded not guilty. Mr. Packham said that on Saturday afternoon, between one and two o'clock, the prisoner came into his house, went into the tap-room, where a number of navvies were seated, and commenced disturbance with them; telling them she had a husband and a big son at home, who would thrash the whole of them. Witness fastened the tap-room door to prevent her getting to the bar. When she found she could not get out she hallooed and called for pint of ale. His wife opened the door, and refused to serve her. They managed, after great difficulty, to get her into the street, and fastened every door to prevent her entrance, and sent for the police. She then took up half brick, and swore by it that she would do for them after it was dark. When the police arrived he once more gave her into custody. The house had been closed for two hours. Prisoner said when the policeman came she was in her own house. She came out of it and saw the policeman in the "White Hart," and after remaining there an hour he came and took her into custody as she was sitting with her baby at the threshold of her door.

The Bench considered both charges proved, and for the first offence find of 10s., costs 6d., 14 days' hard labour, was inflicted; and for the second fine 6s., costs 4s. 6d., or 7 days. The money was paid; rather a large sum for the husband and the big son to earn.

Transcribed by Graham Wootten.