From the Dover Express. September 1871.

A Public House open at Illegal Hours - A Caution.

William Hackett, Stephen Wilson, and John Ballard were charged on the information of Police Sergeant Steven’s with being in the Victoria Public House, Tower Hamlets during illegal hours on Sunday morning the 3rd of September. It appeared that the landlord of the “Victoria” John Hurrin, had been brought before the magistrates on the previous Friday and convicted on the charge of having his open for sale of beer at illegal hours. The three defendants being found drinking in the public house at the time, they attended before the magistrates in answer to a summons that had been served on them. Sergeant Barton gave the following evidence ---- John Hurrin the landlord of the Victoria Public House was convicted on the 8th inst. for having his house open for the sale of beer on Sunday morning, the 3rd September during illegal hours. I visited the house on that occasion and found the three defendants there. They had some beer before them and had apparently been drinking beer.

On being examined by Hackett he said; you and Stephen’s were both drunk and asleep when I came in. I was obliged to follow you home, as I was afraid you would make a disturbance in the streets. Ballard tried to escape. Stephen’s had nothing to say in his defence but Hackett said he went to the public house for the purpose of selling three rabbits, which he had taken with him to the landlord. On his arriving there the landlord was not at home, and the landlady refused to buy the rabbits until Hurrin came in. He then went into the parlour for the purpose of waiting for Hurrin and fell asleep.

Ballard said he had not touched a drop of beer but admitted that he should have had half a pint had not the constable come in. The superintendent said he knew all three defendants very well and there was nothing against them. Mr. Mowll said he also knew them very well and was sorry to see them in so degrading a position. He must leave their case however in the hands of the chairman. Mr. Back said that the good characters which had been given to the prisoners induced the magistrates to treat the case somewhat leniently though they could not altogether look over it, it being important that it should be understood that those frequenting public houses during prohibited hours were equally liable to penalties as the proprietors. They had rendered themselves liable to a fine of 50s. but the Bench excising their leniency would mitigate the penalty to 1s and costs 9s 6d. None of the prisoners were able to pay the fine and at their request a fortnight’s grace was granted.

Information kindly supplied by Joyce Banks.

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