Colchester pub history index
Licensed Victualler Summoned
At the Colchester Borough Police Court on Friday October 24th Thomas Alfred Springett, licensee of the Globe, Military Road, Colchester, formerly of the Royal Oak, Rowhedge and son of the late Captain Sam Springett, was summoned for permitting drunkenness on his premises on Sept. 27th. Mr A. G. Hawkins prosecuted, and Mr Gerald C. Benham (Messrs Benham & Wilson) appeared for the defendant, who pleaded not guilty. Mr Hawkins in opening, said the case arose out of the conviction on a charge of drunkenness of Jessie Freed, who in five or six hours had eight glasses of beer known as King Cock. Last Friday the licensee of the Plough, which the woman visited previous to going to the Prince of Wales and Globe; was convicted, the Magistrates thereby finding she was drunk. The licensee of the Plough was unable to prove that he had exercised reasonable care, but the case against the licensee of the Prince of Wales was dismissed on the grounds - Mr Benham objected, stating that no ground was given for the dismissal. The Clerk (Mr E. K. Denton) said Mr Hawkins did not know what was in the minds of the Justices when they dismissed the case. Mr Hawkins said that if the licensee could prove he took reasonable care the case should be dismissed. The case against the licensee of the Prince of Wales was dismissed, but as he was not allowed to tell them why, he would leave it at that. Jessie Freed said she was sure she was sick in the Prince of Wales. She went to the Globe, where the defendant served her with scotch, but she did not drink it. When she came outside she was again sick. One day the defendant's wife came to see her and told her she had been summoned. As a result, witness went to the Globe with Green. They went into a private room, where defendant tried to square them with a drink or two. At this stage there were interruptions of dissent as a result of which all witnesses were ordered to leave the Court. Cross-examined, witness said she had nothing to drink in the Globe. Harry Green, bricklayer, Old Heath, stated that at the Globe he asked the landlord for a drop of whiskey and a glass of ale and defendant brought these drinks. Freed was under the influence of drinks and she went outside and was sick. On subsequent occasion referred to by Freed, defendant called witness a liar, told him he had been squared and said he wanted witness to say he did not go into the Globe on the date in question. Cross examined as to the date of the interview alleged, witness said it might have been on the Wednesday in the week following Freed's conviction. Re-examined witness said the interview took place after he had received a witness summoned. Mr Benham said the defence would deny that the interview took place. Mrs Bailey, PC Beavis and PD Elliston gave evidence. Mr Benham said he had a number of independent witnesses who would say that they watched this woman go from the Prince of Wales and that she never went into the Globe between the hours in question. He also urged that the evidence of the prosecution contradicted itself. At this stage the Magistrates intimated that they could not sit beyond a certain time and they suggested the case should be adjourned. Mr Benham said it would be a great hardship to his client to have the case adjourned especially if the evidence of his witness was true. It would be the third occasion that he would have had to attend court in connection with the case. The bench decided to adjourn the case for a for a fortnight.
Charge of Permitting Drunkenness
Before the Colchester Borough Police Court on Friday November 7th Thomas Alfred Springett was summoned for permitting drunkenness on his premises on September 27th. The case was part heard a fortnight ago. William Sexton, labourer, Fingringhoe, said he saw Freed outside the Globe about 10.30pm on Sept 27. She was helpless but he could not say whether she was drunk or in a fit. Mr Benham having addressed the Bench called the defendant , who said he did not see Freed on his premises on the evening in question. He had held a licence for eleven years and had never been "pulled up" in any shape or form before. With reference to the subsequent interview he denied threatening Green, but said he told him he was a liar and was not on his premises on the evening in question. Mrs Dawkins, Golden Noble Hill, said she saw Freed come up Military Road on the night of Sept 27, when near the Globe she fell down in a fit. She did not attempt to enter the public house. Mrs Lawton, Kendall Road, said she saw Freed and Green come up Military Road, Freed fell down outside the Globe, but did not attempt to enter the premises, Frederick Hawkins, Golden Noble Hill, who was in the Globe on the evening in question, said he did not see Steed or Green enter the public house. Mrs Springett, wife of the defendant, Mrs Hopwood, Wimpole Road, William Bond private of the 20th Hussars, Albert Eardley a private of the 20th Hussars and Lacey Baker, carter, Golden Noble Hill also gave evidence. After the Bench had retired for consultation the chairman said they were unanimous in coming to a conclusion that Steed entered the Globe with Green and was served and defendant would be fined £1, with £1. 17. 6. costs