History of Dover

James Burns, a performer on the penny whistle, was charged by Bowles with obstructing the footway in Chapel Street on the previous night. Bowles said he was sent for about half past nine o’clock on the previous night to go to Chapel Street where he found the defendant dead drunk lying in the gutter with a number of boys surrounding him. He had to get a sailor’s assistance in order to convey the defendant to the Station House.

The defendant assured the magistrates that his drunkenness was quite accidental. He had met an old friend in the street on the previous day, and was induced to go with him to a public house from which his friend would not allow him to depart till he was perfectly drunk. He had no doubt all the policeman had said was true but he was not conscious of anything. The defendant had not previously appeared and the magistrates therefore dismissed him ordering him to pay 2s. for the hearing but on it being stated by the superintendent of police that defendant had no money whatever the condition was not enforced and the defendant was dismissed with a caution. (1861)