Drunk and Disorderly
Extract from Isle of Wight Observer:
RYDE POLICE COURT
Monday -Before Thomas Fowke, Esq.
DRUNK AND DISORDERLY.- Mary Davis, of Portsmouth, a dissipated-looking creature, was charged with this offence.
Thomas Sanders, of the Vine Inn, deposed that on Saturday evening last, about 6.30, a young man whom he knew came to the bar, and paid for a glass of ale for someone who would call for it. Shortly after the woman came in, he saw she was the worse for liquor. The beer having been paid for, he had no alternative but to allow her to drink it. She sat down, pulled out a dirty pipe, and requested a pennyworth of tobacco. He repeatedly ordered her to leave, She was very abusive, and said she would not go till she had broke all the windows, even if requested by the whole police force, or a certain gentleman in black.
P.C. Troke was on duty at the time mentioned in Pier-street. Mr. Sanders’ servant called him to the Vine. He there found the defendant very drunk, got her outside the door, she laid down in the road, made use of disgusting language, and declared she would not leave the place without smashing the windows. He was obliged to get assistance to remove her. There were about 200 persons present.
When asked by the Bench what she had to say in defence of such conduct, she admitted being drunk and consequently had no recollection of it. She supposed it was all true.
She was fined 5s. and costs, and in default committed for seven days.
Extract from Police Magistrate Blog:
By far the largest element of a Victorian Police Court magistrate’s business was dealing with those arrested for being drunk, drunk and disorderly, drunk and incapable: – or a variation of these charges that might include using foul and abusive language or violence when resisting arrest.
Source: Isle of Wight Observer 4 July 1863; www.the policemagistrate.blog
Picture source: www.thepolicemagistrate.blog