COURT PROCEEDINGS FOLLOW POLICE RAID ON HOTEL

Stratford Evening Post, Issue 82, 12 August 1929, Page 5

COURT PROCEEDINGS FOLLOW POLICE RAID ON HOTEL

ALLEGED SALE OF LIQUOR AFTER HOURS MAX CHARGED WITH BEING OX PREMISES. A SATURDAY NIGHT ‘VISIT. Stuart Dunbar, licensee of the Empire Hotel, appeared at the Stratford Court this morning, charged •with having on July 27th sold liquox after hours. Harry Harris, Frank price and R., S. Carter were also charged with being found on the hotel premises after hours. Carder was also charged with obstructing police officers in the- execution of their duty. Mr Coleman entered pleas of guilty on behalf of Dufibar and on behalf of OaCer to the charge of obstructing the police. A plea of not guilty was entered as regards the charge of being illegally on the premises. Sergeant Power said that the charges arose from a visit to The Empire Hotel. The charge against Carter arose from the tact that when the speaker knocked at a certain door leading to the bar it I was opened by Carter and then shut and locked. Interviewed afterwards, Carter said his action was taken on the spur of the moment, and he much regretted having done what he did. In evidence, Sergeant/ Power said he visited the hotel in company with Constable Shields, entering by the Fenton Street door. He knocked at the door leading into t]je bar, but getting no response he passed on. However, the door opened, and witness- saw Carter, who then locked the door. Witness heard scuffling in the bar. The constable had gone to the Broadway entrance, to stop any men getting away. Witness was admitted to the bar and found the men who were charged. In addition there were on the premises two men named Williams. Carter said he had come to the house (to get accommodation for the two men Williams. When accommodation was secured, said Carter, lie followed the others down the passage and was on the point of leaving when he met the police. Carter said he had an appointment with a '.young lady who was waiting outside, and this was found to be correct. The two Williams men stayed at the hotel that night and the following day. The locking of the door did not have the serious consquences it might have bad, C ARTE It’S E YIDEXC E. Carter went into the witness-box and admitted that Sergeant Power had stated the facts’ correctly. Mr Tate, S.M.: Why did you lock the door. Witness: I can’t say. Mr Tate: That is what brings you here. The charge of being illegally on the premises will be dismissed. Mr Coleman asked permission to alter his plea on the charge of obstruction. Carter’s action could not be regarded as a conscion g act. He unlocked the door and unconsciously locked it again. Mr Tate; It seems as if Carter regarded the police as natural enemies instead of protectors. Aftter further argument the charge was dismissed as not calling for punishment. Mr Tate, however, stressed the fact that he did not condone any form of obstruction. On behalf of Dunbar, Mr Coleman said he had gone along to get -drinks fo r the Williams men, and the rest followed. They were so importunate that he served drinks to get rid of them. Price and Harris had written pleading guilty, and they were fined 40s, with costs 10s. Dunbar was similarly fined. j