A Dover visitor of respectable appearance, was charged with being drunk and disorderly and causing an obstruction of the footway in Queen Street and also assaulting P.C. Geddes and Bailey while in the execution of their duty at the Station House.

It appeared from some remarks of Superintendent Sanders that defendant had behaved in a most disgraceful way at the Station House, and had absolutely refused to give a name. Dr. Astley thereupon asked the defendant if he intended giving any name before the case is proceeded with. Defendant said he had given up his name that same morning. Superintendent Sanders said this was quite false. On the contrary he had used language of a most filthy nature when asked to give his name by P.C. Geddes about nine o’clock the same morning. Defendant persisted that he had no objection to repeating it - Thomas Williamson. The case was then proceeded with.

P.C. Geddes said that at about twenty minutes past eleven on the previous evening, a fly drove up to the Station House door a large mob following it. Defendant got out of the fly and remained standing on the footway with a mob of people round him. Geddes gave defended an opportunity of going away but he refused to comply and would not give his name or address. Witness then took defendant into the Station House where he struck him (Geddes) several times with his fist, and kicked him very severely on the legs meanwhile using very bad language. He also used the most foul language in the cell.

P.C. Bailey deposed to being on duty in the Market Place about quarter past eleven. Mr. Pankhurst came up and told him that he had a lady and gentlemen in a fly in Queen Street. On going with his informant, witness found defendant in the fly acting in a very violent manner. Defendant was driven to the Station House and remained on the pavement outside for some time, but was ultimately taken into custody. Witness assisted to take defendant who became who became very violent and struck Geddes and kicked him (witness) on the leg.

The Bench called forward Mr. Pankhurst the fly man, and he corroborated to a great extent the statements made by both the police constables. He said he had been in a most awkward position as the defendant and his wife had occupied the fly in a state of intoxication and both refused to give him either their names or address. He sought the advice of a constable and as no clue could be ascertained as to defendants name of house he ultimately drove them to the Station House, defendant using most abusive language and acting very violently.

Defendant who seemed to feel his position very keenly said he and his wife had come to Dover for a short visit to recruit their health, both of them having but recently recovered from illness. He was entirely independent. The magistrates thought the position defendant occupied a very bad one. He would be sent to prison for a fortnight without the option of a fine. Defendant remonstrated with the Bench on the severity of the sentence but the Bench adhered to their decision and the defendant, who seemed very much distressed, was removed in custody. Mary Ann Williamson, the wife of the last defendant who appeared in court respectably dressed, was also charged with being drunk and disorderly and with causing an obstruction of the footway in Queen Street.

It appeared from the statement of P.C. Campany that he found defendant in Queen Street on the previous night at half past eleven. She was lying on the pavement and making a great noise. A crowd of people had collected round her. Defendant said she was very sorry for her offence. She had recently been ill and was at Dover for a change of air. The Bench thought defendant had opened her holiday in Dover in a very singular way. She would be fined 5s and costs or in default seven day’s imprisonment. 1872.