From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday 27 September, 1878

A RAID ON PUBLIC HOUSES

John Brockman and Thomas Taylor were summoned, the former for keeping his house, the “Imperial Crown,” open during prohibited hours, and the latter for being on the premises at twenty minutes past ten on Sunday morning.

Police-constable Baker said: Last Sunday morning in company with Police-constable Corrie I visited the “Imperial Crown.” I went to the back door and Corrie to the front. I opened the door and there saw the defendant Taylor sitting in a chair with a pot half full of beer beside him, and Police-constable Corry knocked at the front door and Taylor got up to pass me. I took his name. Corry was then admitted by the landlady who said Taylor came on business. I asked her about the beer and she made no reply.

By Mr. Mowll: The landlord looked as an innocent man. The woman did not tell me she had been there all night.

The defendant admitted the offence, and Brockman was fined 20s. and 9s. 6d. costs, and Taylor 10s. 6d. including costs.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 7 November, 1890. Price 5d.

NEGLECTING TO MAINTAIN HIS MOTHER

J. G. Brockman, landlord of the “Imperial Crown,” was summoned for neglecting to contribute towards his mother's maintenance, who became on the 8th of August, and still was, chargeable to the common funds of the Dover Union.

Mr. Carder said that he applied for 2. 6d. a week, repeated application had been made to the defendant, but refused.

Mr. R. W. Patmore, produced the order for the proceedings. He said Mary Brockman was the defendant's mother, and she became, on the 8th of August, and still was chargeable to the Dover Union. She was 79 years of age, and was unable to work. She previously lived in a cottage adjoining the “Imperial Crown.” The defendant was a licensed victualler, and kept the “Imperial Crown,” and was able to pay the sum asked.

Mary Brockman, mother of the defendant, said that she had been living in a cottage next to the defendant, but she left as she was in fear of her life.

Thomas Howard, a labourer said that he occupied the house adjoining the “Imperial Crown,” and paid 5s. 6d. a week to the defendant.

The Magistrates made an order for 2s. 6d. a week.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 8 March, 1901. Price 1d.

THEFT OF BROOMS

Carl Wennal, of German nationality, was charged with stealing three bass brooms from the doorway of 1, and 3, Widred Road.

Mr. A. Grossman interpreted.

Stephen Fred Hedgcock, grocer, 1, and 3, Widred Road, Tower Hamlets, said the three brooms produced were hanging outside the door of his shop on Friday. Later in the day in consequence of an enquiry by a Constable he missed the brooms. He afterwards identified them at the Police Station. He never sold the brooms to the prisoner, not had he seen him until he saw him at the Station. The value of the brooms was 2/3.

Mrs. Elizabeth Rhodes said her husband was the landlord of the “Imperial Crown Inn,” Tower Street. About twenty minutes to seven the prisoner came into the private bar and asked for “half a porter.” He had three bass brooms with him and wanted to sell them. Witness bought two for sixpence. He left the house with the other one.

The Magistrates' Clerk: What did he do with the money?

Witness: Lord Almighty, my dear man, how should I know? (Loud laughter.)

Witness, continuing, said that the Police came shortly afterwards and she handed the brooms over to them.

When the evidence was read over to the witness she remarked it was she who kept the “Imperial Crown” and not her husband.

The Clerk: How is that?

Witness: I am master. (Laughter.)

The Clerk: But I suppose you husband has something to say to that?

Witness: Oh no, he has not. (Loud laughter.)

William Henry Rogers, landlord of the “Plough Inn,” Buckland, said the prisoner came into the house at 8.30 and offered a bass broom for sale. Witness ultimately bought it for sixpence. The Police afterwards made enquiries, and witness gave the broom to them.

Police Constable E. Duncan said that about 7.15 on the previous evening he was in Bridge Street, when he was told that the prisoner had been acting suspiciously in Tower hamlets Road. Witness went in search of him, and found him coming out of the “Red Lion,” Charlton Green. He was the worse for drink, and had a new bass broom under his arm. Witness followed the prisoner until he met P.C. Cook, who went after the prisoner, and witness made enquiries at Tower Hamlets, he then went to the “Plough” with P.C. Cook and received the broom produced from the landlord. They then went to the prisoner's lodgings in Cherry Tree Avenue. He was asleep on the bed. He was taken to the Station, but made no reply to the charge of stealing the broom. Mr. Hedgcock identified the broom as his property. After making further enquiries he received the two brooms from Mrs. Rhodes.

The case was remanded till Monday to make enquiries.

From the Dover Express, 8 September, 1922.

At the Dover Police Court on Friday last, before Dr. C. Wood (in the chair) and Messrs. S. Lewis, W. B. Brett. T. Francis and C. E. Boaufoy.

The licence of the "Imperial Crown," Tower Hamlets, was temporarily transferred from Mr. W. Scott to Mr. Harry K. Wilsher, of 19 Whitfield Avenue, one time licensee of the "Plough Inn," Ripple.

Offers invited for pub

BREWERS Whitbread are selling their old pub, Imperial Crown at Tower Street, Dover, through the Dover offices of Nationwide Anglia King and Chasemore. Offers are invited. (1989).