From the Kent and Sussex Courier, 13 April, 1901.

PETTY SESSIONS, THURSDAY.

There were no bank holiday charges.

A man named Baker, landlord of the "Lord Roberts" public house, Ashford, was charged with being drunk on his licensed premises on the 1st of April. Mr. B. C. Drake defended. P.C. Curtis, stated that he and another constable went to the house in plain clothes on tea afternoon of the day named and there he saw the defendant in an intoxicated state in the public taproom. He lurched up against customer who was in the room and when asked what was the matter he merely replied “What's the matter with you?" When told that he would be reported he said the police could do what they liked and that he had paid enough money into that d____ court and would not pay any more. Mr. Drake, who had at first pleaded not guilty, withdrew the plea on the evidence stating that there had been a question whether the defendant was in the public or the private part of the house at the time that he was drunk. He must leave the case in the hands of the Bench with the plea that the defendant was a very excitable man, who had been very much upset in consequence of having been fined in that court for selling adulterated spirits. As a result of this he had given to drink, but he had borne an excellent character for ten years in the trade, and had now promised to keep the pledge. The Bench imposed a fine of 10s. and the costs 9/-.