Bristol Mercury - 23 November 1892
TEMPLE CLOUD POLICE COURT
YESTERDAY
Magistrates present - Mr S. S. P. Samborne (chairman), Mr Edward Strachey, M.P., Col. Scobell, Mr. C. A. Kemble, and Mr H. E. Hippisley
...
PROCEEDINGS AGAINST A PAULTON LICENSEE
Thomas Brodrib, licensee of the Flying Dutchman, Paulton, pleaded not guilty to permitting drunkenness on his premises on the 24th ult. Mr. J. H. Clifton defended. P.C. Boobyer, 94 S, stated that he saw a woman named Jones on the defendants premises sitting in a dazed state with her head hanging down. He considered the woman to be in a drunken state. Tom Young, a shoemaker, living at Paulton, spoke to seeing the woman drunk at the defendant's public house on the evening in question. Mr Brodrib asked him to pay for a pint for her, and witness did so, the liquor being supplied by the defendant. Giles Pearse, a Paulton labourer, and Sergt. Kellaway also gave evidence. Mr. Clifton said his client had been a licensee in their worships' district for 27 years without a solitary complaint. He argued that opinions might differ as to whether a person was drunk, and called witnesses, who stated that they considered the woman Jones was not intoxicated. The defendant was sworn, and denied that he asked Young to pay for a pint for Mrs Jones. The woman was not served at his house. In answer to Supt. Dicks, he denied that the police had cautioned him in respect of the woman Jones. The bench said that all through the case there was a conflict of testimony but the balance of evidence appeared to be in favour of the defendant, and the case would therefore be dismissed. The Chairman added that he should like to caution the defendant to be very careful when persons came to his house in an unfit state.
FINED FOR DRUNKENNESS
Elizabeth Jones, the woman referred to in the preceding case, was summoned for being drunk on the licensed premises of the Flying Dutchman, on the same occasion. P.C. 945 having given evidence, the defendant said she had no drink after two o'clock in the afternoon. She had no money, and when she went to the Flying Dutchman Mr Brodrib declined to serve her. A man named Dunn, called by the defendant said he did not see her the worse for liquor at the Flying Dutchman. Another witness deposed that the defendant did not stagger as though she was intoxicated. A fine of 5s and costs was imposed.