Folkestone Express 4 October 1873.

Adjourned Licensing Meeting.

The Honest Lawyer.

Tuesday, September 30th: Before The Mayor, J. Tolputt and J. Clark Esqs.

Thomas Edwards renewed his application for a license to the Honest Lawyer beerhouse, Bellevue Fields. The application was adjourned from the annual meeting in consequence of a question as to the annual value of the premises.

Mr. Banks said the annual value of the house was £19 10s.

Mr. Till opposed on behalf of Mr. Dickenson, and said he did not think the Bench had any power to grant the license, as the Act required that in a town of not less than ten thousand inhabitants the annual value must be £20.

The Clerk remarked that the Superintendent opposed it at the annual meeting.

Mr. Banks said applicant occupied the house next door to the beerhouse, and the total value would be £34. If notice had been given of the opposition a solicitor would have been employed to support the application.

Mr. Till said the opposition was made on principle. He claimed the right to make the application and argue upon it. With reference to the adjoining house, the Bench must be satisfied that it was to be used for the purposes of a public house. Applicant could not knock a hole through and then say “I occupy the whole”.

The Clerk said applicant could have said he had no notice of the opposition and the Bench would have had power to adjourn the application.

Mr. Till said he was sorry, he must entirely disagree with the clerk. If the next house were worth a thousand pounds the Act would not allow the Bench to grant the license.

Application granted.

Folkestone Express 4 September 1875.

Saturday, August 28th: Before J. Tolputt Esq., and Captain Crowe.

George Deronor, a private in the 41st Regiment of Foot, stationed at Shorncliffe, was charged with stealing nineteen plated forks, value £3, the property of Mr. Alfred Cosley, lodging house keeper, of 10, Langhorne Gardens, on the 26th August.

Thomas Edwards, landlord of the Honest Lawyer beerhouse, Bellevue Street, deposed that on the previous Thursday evening the prisoner came to his house about a quarter to eleven and asked for a glass of beer. Witness drew one, when prisoner said he had no money. He drew some forks from under his jacket and asked witness to take them in payment for the beer as he had no money. When the prisoner laid them on the counter, witness saw they were plated forks, but did not count them. Prisoner took them up again and left the house, when witness gave information to the police.

P.C. Abraham Keeler said that on Thursday night about a quarter to eleven he saw the prisoner standing in front of the Honest Lawyer beerhouse in Bellevue Street. Just before witness came up, prisoner turned away and walked up the street. Witness noticed that he was putting something under his tunic and asked him what it was. Prisoner replied “It's all right. These are mine”. Witness then saw some forks sticking out of prisoner's tunic and asked him how he came by them. He replied “It was all through that cook”. Witness asked what cook he meant, when prisoner replied that he did not know where she lived. Witness then took the soldier into custody and removed from the breast of his tunic the nineteen plated forks produced. On Friday morning witness took the forks to No. 10, Langhorne Gardens, and showed them to Mrs. Cowley, who identified the forks as her property.

Mary Nash, cook at prosecutor's, deposed that on Thursday evening about a quarter past nine she was standing at the top of the steps leading to the area of No. 10, Langhorne Gardens. Prisoner spoke to her, saying “Good evening”, and afterwards asked if she would give him her address. She replied that she would not. Prisoner said he should not go away till she had given him her address. She then said her name was Nash, but he answered that that was not enough. Witness went indoors, leaving the door open and prisoner at the top of the steps. Witness heard the prisoner come down the steps after her and went into the breakfast room. Witness looked back through the window and saw prisoner at the back door. She asked him if he was going as she wanted to lock the back door. He then went up the steps and witness fastened the door and saw no more of him. Witness afterwards missed the forks, which had been that evening lying in the plate basket in the kitchen.

Prisoner elected to be tried by the Magistrates and was sentenced to three calendar months' imprisonment with hard labour.

Folkestone Express 17 March 1877.

Wednesday, March 14th: Before Dr. Bateman, R.W. Boarer Esq., and Alderman Caister.

Alfred Foreman was summoned by Herbert Grinstead for assaulting him on Sunday night. The defendant pleaded Guilty.

The complainant stated that while he was in the Honest Lawyer public house on Sunday night, the defendant, who was drunk, came up to him and challenged him to fight. The complainant refused, and the defendant struck him in the face. He had known the defendant for some time, and never had had “words” with him.

The Bench fined the defendant 5s. and 8s. costs, or in default seven days' imprisonment.

Folkestone Express 29 December 1888.

Saturday, December 22nd: Before The Mayor, J. Hoad, J. Fitness, J. Holden, J. Sherwood and E.T. Ward Esqs.

Richard Back, landlord of the New Inn, was summoned for being drunk and disorderly in Belle Vue Street on the 15th Dec.

P.C. Knott said on Saturday the 15th inst. he saw defendant in Belle Vue Street, very drunk and using bad language. When he saw witness he said “I have got everything all right tonight. I don't want to show any of you ---- up” and used other bad language. Witness was in the Honest Lawyer at five minutes past eleven, and heard the landlord ask the company to leave. He went in and told them the time was up. Defendant was the last to leave, and when he came out he said he wanted witness to take all their names, and again used very bad language. He asked defendant to go away, and he refused. Two friends took him home.

Mr. Minter cross-examined the witness, who said he did not know whether defendant was angry or not. He was very drunk.

Charles Prior, a plasterer, living in Belle Vue Street, said he saw the defendant on Saturday night, rather the worse for drink. He went into Mr. Edwards' and called for a glass of beer. He brought the glass out and dropped it. He heard him use no bad language.

In reply to the Clerk, the Superintendent said “That is the case”.

Mr. Minter: And a very pretty case it is. (Laughter) He contended that the cause of all the disturbance was a quarrel between defendant and the policeman, because the latter had not dealt out fair play to himself and the landlord of the Honest Lawyer. He further alleged that the defendant had never been drunk in his life. He had carried on the business for 15 years, and during all that time there had been no charge against him by the police.

Nellie Hogan, a music hall singer, engaged at the New Inn Music Hall, said she had sung at the music hall at the New Inn for a fortnight. She left the house on Saturday evening at twenty five minutes to eleven. She saw the landlord frequently during the evening and he was quite sober and serving in the bar.

John Hogan, “a music hall artist”, engaged at the New Inn, said he saw the defendant the evening in question from seven till eleven. He was sober when he closed the house. Witness had never seen him drunk.

Mr. Minter said he had half a dozen more witnesses to prove the same thing.

The Bench dismissed the case.

Folkestone Express 13 July 1889.

Wednesday, July 10th: Before J. Pledge and E.T. Ward Esqs.

Thomas Marples was granted temporary authority to sell beer at the Honest Lawyer, Bellevue Street.

Folkestone Express 26 December 1891.

Wednesday, December 23rd: Before Aldermen Sherwood, Pledge and Dunk, J. Fitness and E. Ward Esqs.

Iden Pritchard, gardener, was summoned for stealing two heath plants, value 2s., from a greenhouse belonging to George Pilcher. He pleaded Not Guilty.

Prosecutor, a florist, having premises in Dover Road, said defendant had been in his employment as working gardener for more than 18 months. He left a week ago last Saturday. Since defendant left he had missed plants from his premises, and among them were three heaths of the kind produced, from a greenhouse. He missed the heaths on Friday, 18th. Defendant was in the house on the Wednesday or Thursday previous, saying he wanted to buy some shrubs, but he went away without buying anything. When he missed the plants he gave information to the police. There were nine plants of this sort in the greenhouse. He could swear positively to one of those produced, as it was peculiar in it's appearance, and he had tried to sell it to a customer a few days ago. They were also of an uncommon size to be flowering so freely. The value was 1s. each.

By defendant: I bought twelve plants of a nurseryman, and sold three. The nurseryman had plenty more of the same sort, and he served the trade. The greenhouses were not kept locked. I have had reasons to suspect you have taken goods. You were formerly a very useful man, but latterly you have given way to drink and been careless. I do not remember having given you a good recommendation lately.

Alice Maud Mary Jordan, of the Red Cow Inn, said the defendant went to her mother's house on Thursday with Christmas Trees and two plants. She recognised one of the heaths. Defendant asked her to buy it, and she did, paying 9d. for it. She knew defendant as a customer.

Mary Ann Maple, wife of Thomas Maple, of the Honest Lawyer, Belle Vue Street, said the defendant went to that house with one plant on Thursday evening. He asked 1s. for it, and she bought it of him for 6d. She knew him as a customer.

William Jenner, a lad in the service of the prosecutor, said he saw the defendant on Wednesday evening at ten minutes to ten, outside the garden gate in Dover Road, walking to and from.

Thomas Alfred Tutt, another lad in the prosecutor's employ, said he saw the defendant about ten o'clock on Wednesday evening go into the Belle Vue with a Christmas tree in his hand. Witness saw him again on Thursday evening near St. John Street with a plant like those produced in his hand.

Prosecutor was re-called, and said the garden was approached by gates. The larger one was locked, but not the smaller one. Mr. Wilson had a right of way to his premises there. The greenhouse was not fastened in any way.

Defendant said he bought the plants from a hawker, but did not know his name.

The Bench considered the case proved, and fined defendant 10s., 2s. the value of the plants, and 18s. costs, or 14 days' hard labour, telling him he was liable to be imprisoned for six months.

The Bench recommended Mr. Pilcher to keep his premises locked in future.

Folkestone Express 7 December 1901.

Wednesday, December 4th: Before J. Stainer, G. Peden, and T.J. Vaughan Esqs., and Col. W.K. Westropp.

A special licensing sessions was held, when Mr. Harry Johnson was granted transfer of the licence of the Honest Lawyer.

Folkestone Express 22 October 1904.

Wednesday, October 19th: Before Aldermen Banks and Salter, and Lieut. Col. Hamilton.

Alfred Holloway was summoned for using obscene language in St. John's Road on October 13th.

P.C. Kettle said he heard the defendant making use of very bad language outside the Honest Lawyer public house at 11.15 p.m.

Defendant denied the offence, and he called Alfred Hatfield and William Whitehead, both of whom said Holloway did not use bad language.

The Chairman said the Magistrates had decided to give the defendant the benefit of the doubt, and therefore the case would be dismissed.

Folkestone Express 31 December 1904.

Wednesday, December 28th: Before Col. Penfold and G. Peden Esq.

Henry Edward Lenton was charged with being drunk and disorderly in Peter Street. He admitted that he was drunk, but not disorderly.

P.C. Johnson said the defendant was very drunk, and had his coat off. Two men were trying to get him home. He also refused to leave the Honest Lawyer, and had to be ejected. He went to 24, Peter Street, and came out again with a shovel, and afterwards a poker, and made use of threats to the constable.

The defendant protested that he did not say a single word to the constable, but went quietly with him to the station.

He was fined 10s. and 4s. 6d. costs, or 14 days', the Bench considering it was a bad case.

A woman in Court asked the Bench if it was not time the Honest Lawyer was put a stop to.

Mrs. Lenton, the woman who made the remark to the Bench about the conduct of the Honest Lawyer, was called to the front and asked what she had to say. Speaking in a low tone, she said she had a grievance against the house. She did not think it was right to allow people to stay in the house and get drunk, and then get the police to turn them out.

Superintendent Reeve: But the landlord told me last night he had not served your husband.

Mrs. Lenton: Oh, he did, sir. He was in the house before. He was very drunk at four o'clock, and went back again. (Her other remarks were not audible at the reporters' table.)

Col. Penfold told her to give all the information she could to the Chief Constable.

Folkestone Express 9 December 1905.

Wednesday, December 9th: Before E.T. Ward Esq., Lieut. Col. Hamilton, Major Leggatt, W.G. Herbert and J. Linton Esqs.

The transfer of the licence of the Honest Lawyer to Mr. R. Spratt was adjourned until next Wednesday.

Note: Date is at variance with More Bastions.

Folkestone Express 16 December 1905.

Wednesday, December 13th: Before Alderman Banks, Major Leggatt, J. Stainer, W.G. Herbert, T. Ames, and R.J. Linton Esqs.

Temporary authority was given to Mr. Spratt to sell at the Honest Lawyer beerhouse.

Note: Date is at variance with More Bastions.

Folkestone Express 27 January 1906.

Wednesday, January 24th: Before The Mayor, Alderman Vaughan, Lieut. Col. Fynmore, Major Leggett, W.G. Herbert, W.C. Carpenter, E.T. Ward, and R.J. Linton Esqs.

The following licences were transferred by the Magistrates: The Honest Lawyer beerhouse, from Mr. Harry Johnson to Mr. Robert Spratt.

Folkestone Express 12 January 1907.

Saturday, January 5th: Before W.G. Herbert Esq., Lieut. Col. Hamilton, Major Leggett, and J. Stainer and R.J. Linton Esqs.

The Magistrates granted temporary authority to Richard Godden Taylor to sell at the Honest Lawyer, in place of Robert Spratt.

Folkestone Express 26 January 1907.

Wednesday, January 23rd: Before E.T. Ward Esq., Lieut. Cols. Fynmore and Hamilton, Major Leggett, and W.C. Carpenter, W.G. Herbert, R.J. Linton, and T. Ames Esqs.

The following licence was transferred: The Honest Lawyer, from Robert Spratt to Richard Godden Taylor.

Folkestone Express 5 February 1910.

Monday, January 31st: Before Messrs. W.G. Herbert, J. Stainer, G.I. Swoffer, and R.J. Linton, and Major Legget.

A young man named Sidney Alfred Smith, married and living at Folkestone, was charged with indecently assaulting Ellen Staple on Saturday evening. The court was cleared and the case was heard in camera.

Ellen Staple said she was the wife of Edward Staple, an engine fitter, and lived at 7, Garden Road. On Saturday evening, about 11.30, she was in Bradstone Road. She was returning home alone. She was near the Viaduct, when she saw the prisoner walking towards her. As he was passing he said “Goodnight”. Witness answered “Goodnight” and looked round to see who it was. Prisoner was a stranger to her. As she looked round, prisoner also looked round, and then turned and followed her. She continued to walk on. Prisoner overtook her near the Corporation gate, just through the Viaduct, and caught hold of her by the shoulder. He said something to her, and she replied “It would pay you better to go about your business. I am a married woman”. The prisoner then dragged her across the road towards Kent Road, in the direction of the passage which runs at the rear of Bradstone Avenue. Witness resisted him, and said she was not going along there. Finding he was getting the better of her, she screamed and told prisoner if he did not let her go she would give him in charge. Prisoner then put his hand over her mouth and she bit his hand, which caused him to remove it. Prisoner then said that if she screamed he would choke her, and he placed some soft substance in her mouth. He was carrying a bag under his arm. Prisoner and witness at that time were in the passage at the rear of the second house in Bradstone Avenue. Witness screamed “Murder” and “Police”, and prisoner then pushed the soft substance further into her mouth. He then indecently assaulted her. Someone called from one of the windows of the houses in Bradstone Avenue “What's the matter over there?” and prisoner ran away in the direction of Foord Road. Witness walked to the top of the passage, where she met P.C. Waters. She made a complaint to him as to what had happened. P.C. Butler was at the corner of Kent Road and Foord Road, and witness went across to him and said “Have you seen a tall man about?” Prisoner immediately came from the direction of the Viaduct, in Foord Road, and said “I'm the tall man you're looking for”. Witness then gave him into custody. Witness had been in the town with her husband shopping, and met two young women who worked in the same laundry. She left her husband at 8.30 in High Street, and from that time until ten minutes to eleven she was in company with the two women. She left them in South Street, and then went to look for her husband, but she did not find him. The affair with the prisoner lasted about ten minutes. Nobody passed during that time.

Cross-examined by prisoner, witness said she did not see him in the Brewery Tap in the early part of the evening, and she did not ask him to treat her. She did not see him outside of his house in Bradstone Road and ask him for a shilling.

P.C. Waters said at about 11.30 on Saturday evening he was in bed at his lodgings, 5, Bradstone Avenue, when he heard screaming and shouting coming from the passage at the rear of Bradstone Avenue. He got up and opened the back window and shouted out “What's the matter out there?” He then heard footsteps running away up the passage into Kent Road. He also heard a woman's voice say “Oh, won't someone come to help me?” Witness partly dressed and ran down into the passage, and as he did so he tripped over the sack produced. He saw the last witness at the top of the passage. She was very excited and bleeding from the lips. She told him a man had dragged her up the passage and had assaulted her. Witness asked her if she knew the man, and she replied “No”. He asked her in what direction he had gone, and she replied “Out in the Foord Road”. Witness accompanied her to the Foord Road end of Kent Road, where they met P.C. Butler at the corner of Kent Road. The last witness ran across the road and asked Butler if he had seen a tall man run along that way. Almost immediately, just across Foord Road, prisoner came up to them and said “I am the tall man you are looking for”. Mrs. Staple said “That's the man”, and P.C. Butler then took him into custody on the charge of indecently assaulting Staple. Prisoner made no reply. On the way to the police station prisoner said he gave the prosecutrix a shilling to go up the passage with him. He further said he had been in the Guildhall Vaults with her during the evening, and also in the Honest Lawyer public house.

P.C. Butler corroborated. He gave evidence of finding the bag, and spoke of seeing marks of a struggle in the passage in Kent Road. In reply to the charge at the police station, prisoner said he went out with his bag to get some coals. Witness noticed prisoner's clothing was disarranged, and that he had a slight cut on the knuckle of his right hand, which was covered with blood. Prosecutrix and prisoner both appeared to be perfectly sober.

The Chairman advised Smith to reserve his defence, which he did.

Prisoner asked for bail, as he had a wife and three little children. He was committed for trial at the next Quarter Sessions. Bail was allowed, himself in £20 and one surety in £20, or two in £10.

The Chairman commended P.C. Waters on his prompt action in the matter.

Folkestone Express 9 April 1910.

Quarter Sessions.

Saturday, April 2nd: Before J.C. Lewis Coward Esq.

Sidney Alfred Smith, 23, a labourer, was charged with indecently assaulting Ellen Staple on January 20th. He pleaded Guilty to a charge of common assault.

Mr. Dickens prosecuted, and Mr. Pitman (instructed by Mr. G.W. Haines) defended.

Mr. Dickens said no doubt the Recorder had read the depositions, and he was going to suggest that owing to the various circumstances, as well as certain information above suspicion, which the Chief Constable had received from other persons, that the man and woman were seen talking quietly together before the assault, it would be advisable for him not now to press the charge of indecency against the man, for he felt it would be practically impossible under the circumstances to obtain a conviction. The prisoner, however, did assault the woman in such a way that she bit his hand enough to make it bleed. He would be satisfied with the plea that the prisoner had made, and take a verdict of Guilty of the common assault.

Mr. Pitman said, having regard to what Mr. Dickens had said, and also to certain circumstances which had impressed themselves very much on his mind, it would have resulted in a verdict which would amount to guilty of a common assault. Mr. Dickens was satisfied that the additional information the defence could bring forward could not be doubted for one moment, and that the two were seen talking together and walking quietly along to the place into which the woman alleged she was dragged could not be doubted. The case he was instructed to put forward was entirely consistent with the story told by independent witnesses, and that the suggestion of indecency came not from the man, but from the woman, he being a married man, living with his wife quite close to the spot. The prisoner absolutely denied the suggestion that he put anything into her mouth, but he pushed her away with the sack which he was carrying. He would like to point out that Smith had been four or five weeks in prison, he not being bailed out until March 7th, and he should ask the Recorder, having regard to the whole circumstances of the case, and the undoubted unreliability of the woman's story, to take a lenient course. The woman, according to his instructions, made a demand for money, and threatened to cry if he did not accede to his request. He then lost his temper.

The Recorder said at the Police Court the prisoner said he reserved his defence.

Mr. Pitman said the prisoner outlined his defence in cross-examining the witnesses, and he was beginning to make a statement, when, at the Magistrates' suggestion, he reserved his defence.

The Recorder, addressing Smith, said he had heard what both counsel had said, and he had already formed his own opinion. He did not think it desirable to go into details. The less said about the case the better. He advised him to be careful in the future. He would be bound over to be of good behaviour for six months.

Folkestone Express 15 April 1911.

Wednesday, April 12th: Before E.T. Ward Esq., Alderman Vaughan, and Lieut. Colonel Fynmore.

Mr. Haines said he applied for the temporary transfer of the licence of the Honest Lawyer public house. The licensee was Richard Godden Taylor, and the applicant for the transfer was Mr. J. Adams, of Margate. Mr. Taylor left Folkestone some three weeks or so ago suddenly for Norway, but one could hardly understand why he did so, because that house was doing a very good business. Mr. Taylor withheld his licence, therefore, he had to allow the Magistrates to allow him to have a duplicate, so that he could proceed further.

Mr. Twyman and Mr. Battiscombe, the manager of Messrs. Flint and Co., the owners of the house, gave evidence, and the Magistrates granted temporary authority, while they also agreed to give Mr. Haines a duplicate of the licence obtained by Mr. Taylor.

Folkestone Express 20 May 1911.

Wednesday, May 17th: Before W.G. Herbert, Lieut. Cols. Fynmore and Hamilton, Major Leggett, and J. Stainer, R.J. Linton, G.I. Swoffer, and G. Boyd Esqs.

Mr. G.W. Haines appeared on behalf of Mr. T.J. Adams and applied for the transfer of the licence of the Honest Lawyer to his client. He stated that temporary authority had been granted, and that the outgoing tenant was Mr. R.G. Taylor.

The transfer was granted.

Folkestone Express 17 February 1912.

Local News.

An application was made on Wednesday at the police court for a protection order in respect to the transfer of the licence of the Honest Lawyer, St. John's Street, from Mr. Adams to Mr. George Hubbard, Sittingbourne. The licence was transferred to Adams on the 17th May last, and he applied for protection. The Clerk said the regulations had not been complied with. A licence could not be transferred before the expiration of twelve months from the date of the transfer. The application was refused.

Folkestone Express 2 March 1912.

Wednesday, February 28th: Before W.G. Herbert, J. Stainer, G.I. Swoffer and G. Boyd Esqs., Lieut. Col. Fynmore, and Major Leggett.

Mr. Twyman applied for the transfer of the Honest Lawyer from Mr. Thomas James Adams to Mr. George Hubbard.

The Clerk said there had been no protection order granted, for the reason that there were certain difficulties in the way, and it was left to them (the Magistrates) to deal with the transfer. It was only right to mention that the licence was transferred to the present holder in May last, within the twelve months, and the regulations provided that no second transfer should be made within twelve calendar months. The Magistrates had the power to waive the regulation.

The Chairman asked the Chief Constable whether he had any objection.

The Chief Constable said the incoming tenant kept a house near Sittingbourne for nearly eight years and in a very satisfactory manner. He thought it was desirable that the change should take place.

The Chairman asked what was the reason the transfer was asked for.

Mr. Twyman said it was on account of domestic circumstances which had arisen, and it was desirable that the present tenant should move out of the licensed premises.

The Chairman said the Bench agreed to waive the regulation, and the transfer would be granted.

Folkestone Express 9 March 1912.

Local News.

The adjourned licensing sessions for the borough of Folkestone were held at the police court on Wednesday morning. The Magistrates were E.T. Ward, W.G. Herbert, J. Stainer, R.J. Linton and G. Boyd Esqs., Major Leggett, and Lieut. Colonels Fynmore and Hamilton. Only one licence had been deferred – that of the Rendezvous Hotel.

Honest Lawyer.

The licence of the Honest Lawyer, which had been transferred to Mr. Hubbard, was renewed.

Mr. Andrews said plans had been deposited with respect to certain alterations at the Guildhall Vaults. The alterations were in the billiard room.

The Magistrates gave their consent to the application.

Folkestone Express 3 July 1915.

Wednesday, June 30th: Before E.T. Ward Esq., Alderman Spurgen, Lieut. Col. Fynmore, Alderman Jenner. Col. Owen, J.J. Giles, and H. Kirke Esqs.

The Magistrates transferred the licence of the Honest Lawyer, Bellevue Street, from the late Mr. Hubbard to his widow.

Folkestone Express 13 May 1916.

Local News.

On Monday evening a serious stabbing affray took place in Tontine Street, as a result of which Private George McKenzie, a Canadian soldier, had his life gravely endangered by a nasty wound in the throat. He was conveyed to the Shorncliffe Hospital, where he is now an inmate. He was too ill to be present at the Police Court on Wednesday morning, when Pte. Christopher Clarke, another Canadian soldier, was charged with unlawfully and maliciously wounding him by stabbing him with a knife. The Magistrates on the Bench were G.I. Swoffer, R.J. Linton, G. Boyd, E.T. Morrison and A. Stace Esqs., and the Rev. Epworth Thompson.

George Ellison, a private in the 50th Canadian Infantry, said on Monday evening he was in the Honest Lawyer beerhouse at 7.40, in company with Pte. McKenzie, ot the 8th Battalion, and the prisoner. At eight o'clock the house closed, and the three of them left together. They remained outside talking for about five minutes in a friendly manner. He left them for about three minutes, and on returning the other two had started fighting with their fists. They continued to fight for about ten minutes. McKenzie was on top of prisoner, who was on the ground. He tried to separate them, and when he got hold of McKenzie to get him off the prisoner, he found his hands were covered with blood. He pulled McKenzie up, and then saw Clarke had an open knife in his hand. As soon as he got McKenzie up prisoner got up and ran away. Witness, followed by McKenzie, followed after Clarke, and caught him 80 or 90 yards away in Tontine Street. He caught hold of the prisoner, who had the knife in his right hand. Clarke struck at him with the knife, so he knocked him over to try and get the knife from him.. Prisoner struggled hard, and he struck McKenzie in the side with the knife. McKenzie had fallen down, and he was on the ground when he was struck. McKenzie was at that time bleeding from the neck. Prisoner got up and attacked McKenzie with the knife. Clarke was on top of him and witness tried to pull him away. Prisoner kicked him on the side, and he was knocked down. Clarke jumped up and got on a passing bus. McKenzie was still lying on the ground, and had to be carried to the guard room in Rendezvous Street. Later the injured man was taken by motor ambulance to Moore Barracks Hospital, Shorncliffe. The two men seemed to be sober enough. Previous to going to the Honest Lawyer he had not been in the company of the two men.

Cross-examined by the prisoner, witness had not asked him (prisoner) to go into the Honest Lawyer and have a drink with him. He did not know where Clarke got the knife. He did not get it out of witness's hand, for he never had a knife at all.

In reply to the Clerk, witness said he had seen the prisoner once previous to that night, but did not know him to speak to. He had not known McKenzie before that night.

The Chief Constable (Mr. Reeve) said the injured man was in hospital and unable to attend the Court.

The Bench remanded the prisoner until next Thursday.

Folkestone Express 20 May 1916.

Local News.

Thursday, May 18th: Before Messrs. G.I. Swoffer, G. Boyd, E.T. Morrison, A. Stace, and the Rev. Epworth Thompson.

Christopher Clarke, a private in the Canadian Expeditionary Force, was brought up on remand charged with unlawfully and maliciously wounding Private McKenzie, by stabbing him on Monday evening, May 8th. The prisoner was before the Magistrates on Wednesday in last week, when he was remanded because Private McKenzie was then unable to attend.

George Young McKenzie, a private attached to the Director of Supply and Transport, C.E.F., said on Monday, May 8th, he went into the Honest Lawyer beerhouse alone about half past seven. When he went into the bar he called for a drink, and entered into conversation with some civilians in the bar. After he had been in the house for a time he saw the prisoner in the next bar. He had seen Clarke once before, but had not spoken to him. He remained in the house until closing time, eight o'clock. During the time he was in the house he only had two pints of beer. He left the house by the door of the centre bar. Up to that time he had not spoken to the prisoner. Private Ellison entered the centre bar about a quarter or ten minutes to eight. He was a stranger to him, but he and witness had some conversation together. Ellison left the bar with him, and they stood together at the corner on the opposite side of the street for ten or fifteen minutes. Just as Ellison and he were going to part he saw the prisoner, who stood alone in the middle of the street. Prisoner took his tunic off and threw it on the ground and then challenged them to fight. He said “I want to fight; if any of you are men at all, come out and fight”. Witness said he did not want to fight, as he had all the fighting taken out of him in France. Ellison went away, and witness asked the prisoner if he wanted to fight, and he told him if he went over to France he would get all he wanted. In the meantime prisoner had walked to the sidewalk, and as he (witness) was lighting a cigarette, Clarke struck him under the chin with his fist, knocking him down. He got up and knocked the prisoner down. He got up and they came to clinches, and both went down to the ground together, he (witness) being on top. Immediately they were down he felt something sharp on the right side of his neck. He kept on struggling and he was doing the best he could with his fists, until shortly after he felt something sharp hit him on the right ribs. Prisoner was still underneath him. He called out that the prisoner was using a knife, although he did not see a knife. Ellison pulled him off the top of the prisoner, who got up at once and ran down the street. Ellison and he ran after him, and caught up the prisoner in Tontine Street, right opposite the Church. Witness hit the prisoner with his fist, knocking him down, and he also fell. That was all he remembered until he woke up in the Moore Barracks Hospital, where he had remained under treatment. He had a wound in the neck, two in the ribs on the right side, two in the right arm, and one in his left hand, all of which were occasioned in the struggle with prisoner. Clarke did not appear to him to be drunk at all.

Prisoner, when asked if he had any questions to ask, said he could not ask any questions because he did not know what happened.

Captain McMurrick, C.A.M.C., said he received Pte. McKenzie at the Moore Barracks Hospital about 10.30 p.m. on Monday, May 8th. He was fairly sensible, but was in a weak condition owing to the loss of blood. He discovered one large wound on the right side of the neck, extending for a distance of about two inches, and nearly severing the muscle from the ear to the collar-bone. There was also a wound at the back of the right ear, cutting a “V” shape through the lobe of the ear. There were two small puncture wounds on the right arm, one on the left arm, and two on the right side near the ribs. He removed the first aid dressing which had been applied, and put on medicinal gauze and bandage. The patient then went to sleep. McKenzie had remained in hospital under treatment ever since. The wound in the neck below the ear was decidedly dangerous. It was of a serrated character. The others were minor wounds. It would be possible to occasion the wounds by the knife (produced) on the blade of which there were stains. He could not say whether they were bloodstains or not. If a clot of blood had not formed in the serrated wound, McKenzie would have lost his life. McKenzie was now practically out of danger.

P.S. Prebble said about 9.40 p.m. on May 8th, in answer to a telephone message, he went to the Canadian Guard Room, where he saw Pte. McKenzie lying on a bed, bleeding from a wound on the right part of the neck. First aid was being rendered. Later he was removed on a motor ambulance to Moore Barracks. At 3.30 on the 9th he went to the Camp where he saw the prisoner detained in the 9th Battalion's guard room. He told him he was making inquiries about a soldier who had been stabbed in Folkestone the previous evening. He cautioned him and told him he should charge him with unlawfully and maliciously stabbing Pte. McKenzie the previous night, and prisoner replied “I do not know anything about it”. He searched Clarke and found the two knives (produced) upon him. One of them had stains upon the blade. He also found bloodstains on the tunic and trousers the prisoner was wearing at the time. He was wearing no cap at the time. He brought him to the Folkestone police station, where he formally charged him, but prisoner made no reply.

This completed the case for the prosecution, but as Pte. Ellison, who gave evidence last week, was not present his depositions could not be read over, therefore the prisoner was remanded until half past three in the afternoon for his attendance.

The prisoner was in the afternoon again placed in the dock, and then was committed for trial at the next Quarter Sessions.

Captain McMurrick said before leaving the Court he would like to say a few words in connection with the first aid work which had been performed on the man. If it had not been for the first aid rendered, the case would have been most serious. A very large artery had been severed in the neck, but the first aid was the means of stopping the haemorrhage. He doubted very much if it had not been for that whether McKenzie's life would have been saved.

The Chief Constable (Mr. Reeve) said he was very pleased to hear what the doctor had said. The work was done by Special Constable W. Banks, who had done very good service in the past. Mr. Banks would be very glad to know that his services were so very much appreciated.

Folkestone Express 8 July 1916.

Quarter Sessions.

Monday, July 30th: Before J.C. Lewis Coward Esq.

Christopher Clarke, a private in the Canadian E.F., pleaded Guilty to maliciously wounding Private G.Y. McKenzie on May 8th. Mr. W.A. Wardley (instructed by Mr. A.F. Kidson) appeared for the Crown, and Mr. Thesiger (instructed by Mr. Gardner, Canterbury) was for the defence.

Mr. Wardley outlined the facts, which were that the men had been in the Honest Lawyer public house, and after turning-out time they they subsequently came to blows owing to the prisoner striking prosecutor. They struggled together, and eventually McKenzie was found to be seriously stabbed in several places. The most serious element in the case was the evidence of the doctor, who told the Magistrates that had it not been for a clot of blood which formed in the most serious wound in the throat, McKenzie would certainly not have survived. It was stated that all the men who were present at the time were sober.

Mr. Thesiger said he quite admitted that it was an extremely serious case, and he hoped to be able to satisfy the Court that it was a very sad case, which was the outcome of the War. The prisoner was a married man with four children. He was born in St. Vincent, West Indies, and at the outbreak of the War was a cattle dealer in Canada. He immediately enlisted and he came to England with the first contingent, and early in 1915 he went to France. He was such a fine shot that he was put on sniping. At the battle of Festubert his unit was ordered to take some trenches, and they did so. The telephone wires were severed, so that they were cut off from communication, and the result was that they were heavily shelled. The prisoner was buried when the parapet of the trench was blown in, but his comrades succeeded in getting him out in time. They were out for 24 hours, and no food or water could be got to them. When he returned he was found to be slightly wounded and also suffering from shock. He had since been in several hospitals, including one in Tooting for mental cases. On February 16th he was sent back to a battalion, but he was not able to do the duties, he voluntarily assisting in the Officers' Mess, and sometimes sitting outside a tent where infectious disease cases were kept, to warn people away. If he got the least drink, or even with the least excitement, he was affected.

The Recorder, in giving judgement, said that was a very serious crime. He believed the prisoner was sorry for what he had done. They thanked him for the battle he had fought for them, but they were sorry that he could have done what he had. He hoped he would shake hands with the man whom he had injured. He (the Recorder) felt that to some extent he was not responsible for his actions at the time, and therefore he proposed to bind him over to be of good behaviour for a period of twelve months.

Folkestone Express 2 April 1932.

Inquest.

A verdict of “Suicide while of unsound mind” was returned at an inquest held at the Town Hall on Tuesday on Sidney Spencer Reid, aged 71, who was found dead in a sitting room at the Honest Lawyer on Saturday, where he lodged. A cardigan enveloped his head and he held a length of gas tubing in his hand, the other end of which was fixed to a gas tap.

P.C. Pay said that on Saturday at 8 a.m. he went to the Honest Lawyer, and in the sitting room he saw a man sitting in a chair. The doctor had just left and the man was dead. He was fully dressed and a gas piping was fixed to the main gas tap on the floor and the other end was in the dead man's hand. There was a note on the floor.

Dr. H. Dodgson said he visited the house at 7.50 a.m. In the sitting room on the first floor the deceased was sitting in an armchair, and it was obvious to him that the man had been dead for three or four hours. His head was enveloped in a cardigan. The cause of death was due to gas poisoning.

Mrs. Charlotte Hubbard, a widow residing at the Honest Lawyer, Belle Vue Street, said the deceased was formerly employed at the Folkestone Gas Works. He was 71 years of age. He left work in November last and seemed rather depressed since. Deceased occupied two rooms. On Friday evening when he retired he seemed quite normal. Recently he had complained of pains in the head and he had said that he felt as if he might fall down. Ernest Edward Jeffrey, her son-in-law, had lived at the house for 27 years. She had always understood that the deceased and her son-in-law were the best of friends. On Saturday morning between 7 and 8 a.m. her son-in-law came into her bedroom, and as a result of what he told her she went into the sitting room and saw the deceased sitting in a chair with a cardigan round his head.

Winifred Fry, employed at the Honest Lawyer, said that about 7.30 a.m. on Saturday she went to deceased's bedroom to take him a cup of tea. She found that he was not in his room and she went to the sitting room. She saw the deceased sitting in a chair. There was only a slight smell of gas in the room.

Ernest Spencer Jeffrey said he had resided with his mother-in-law at the Honest Lawyer for 27 years. He had known deceased for eleven years. He was friendly with deceased.

The Coroner: You have read the note which was found at his side?

Witness: Yes.

The contents of the note do not seem to be friendly? – He had led Mrs. Hubbard to believe that he had a lot of money and I did not believe him and told him so.

He paid his rent? – Oh, yes. Since he left he Gas Works he had been living on the old age pension. When I left him on Friday night we were the best of friends.

The Coroner said he did not intend to read the note in full. It commenced “Just a note to say goodbye to all. I shall go out and away”. The note ended “Goodbye, my dear old Lottie. God bless you”. The note also contained a request that Mrs. Hubbard should be given his case and box.

Witness added that he had read the note and there was no truth in the assertions it contained.

The Coroner: It scandalises you a lot. Has the deceased ever tried to do this before?

Witness: No, sir.

The Coroner said that the note also stated “This is all through Jeffrey because of my pension”. The making of such statements showed that deceased was deranged. Death, there was no doubt, had been brought about by gas poisoning, self administered, during temporary insanity.