Permitting Drunkenness at Mexboro’.

Samuel Hawke, beerhouse keeper, Mexboro, was charged with permitting drunkenness in his house on the 25th ult. Mr. Hall defended

Geo. Holmes, deposed that he lived at Denaby, and on Saturday the 25th ult. he was at Hawke’s house, the Miner’s Arms, at Sparrow Barracks. Went in about 8.30 or 8.45, and stayed about three-quarters of an hour. Had a share of two pints of beer. Was a bit “fresh,” but not “drunk.”

Sergeant Gunn deposed that on Saturday the 25th ult., in company with P.C. Waddell, he visited the house of the defendant, the Miner’s Arms, Mexboro, and in the tap-room found Holmes, the last witness, fast asleep with a pint pot before him. Called the defendant’s attention to him. Told him he was drunk and he was to turn him out. Witness then came out of the house, and defendant followed him outside. Defendant then went into the house, got hold of Holmes, and assisted him to the door. When Holmes got out he reeled and staggered, being very drunk. Holmes asked to be allowed to go in again, and got his glass off. Witness told him he had better go home. The landlord said he had seen him come in, and he saw he was drunk, but he had had nothing there.

P.C. Waddell corroborated the evidence of last witness.

Samuel Hawke, examined by Mr. Hall, said he was the landlord of the Miner’s Inn, Mexboro’, and remembered the day when Holmes came to his house, but did not see him come in as he was at the stable. He came to his house about 9 or 9.30, and it was about 10.15 when the police came in. Had seen Holmes and another man in the tap-room. The other man ordered two pints for Holmes and himself. Holmes appeared to be quiet and still, and could not tell that anything was the matter with him. The police-sergeant said “I think that man has had enough.”

He (defendant) said he had not had it there if he was drunk. He then went outside with the police who asked him the name of the man. He told him they generally called him “born drunk”; his proper name was Holmes. The sergeant told him (defendant) to go and turn him out, and in reply he said “if he is drunk I will go and turn him out.”

Fined 20s. and 13s. costs.