LIQUOR CHARGES

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVI, Issue 72, 22 September 1943, Page 6

LIQUOR CHARGES

LEGAL POINTS RAISED

Two charges of keeping for sale intoxicating liquor without being licensed and two charges of using a room in Boulcott Chambers as a place of resort for the consumption of liquor were brought in the Magistrate's^Court today against John Patrick Behan, steward, 43, and after the close of the case for the prosecution Mr. A. M. Goulding, S.M., reserved his decision on legal points raised by counsel, Mr. G:.' I. Joseph. Senior-Sergeant A. H. Barnes said the accused was the occupier of rooms lc and 2c in'Boulcott Chambers, and room 2c had been used as a drinking resort for servicemen and their women companions. The accused conducted a pressing and boot-cleaning business nearby in Willis Street, and frequently called at Boulcott Chambers while drinking was going on. The premises were raided on September 19, and there were then nine sailors and a number of women' in the room. Twelve bottles of beer were seized and there were also nine empty beer bottles and three empty wine bottles. The room was fitted up as a lounge. Police gave evidence of observations they had made, the place being watched on September 17 and 19. .

■ Mr. Joseph submitted that there was no evidence of sufficient, selling to make the premises a resort —only two sales were noted over the period of two nights' watching. No information had been laid under the Licensing Act, and although under the Emergency Regulations a person could be arrested and brought before the Court it was submitted that an information had still to be laid under the regulations. The two charges under the regulations had been added after the arrest.