Stroud Journal, Saturday 7th January 1865 Horsley Petty Sessions: John Jefferies, landlord of a beerhouse at Swell’s Hill, Rodborough, known as the Fox Inn, appeared to a summons charging him with keeping his house open for the sale of beer during prohibited hours, viz, after 11 o’clock at night on the 23rd December, and before five o’clock the next morning. Defendant pleaded not guilty.
Frederick Hyde desposed: On the night of the 23rd December, at about 10 o’clock, I went to the beerhouse kept ny defendant, and stayed there all night. I had some beer when I first went in, and about four o’clock the next morning I had some more. The landlord was there with three other men. James Miles stated: On the night of the 23rd December, at about 10 o’clock, I went to the Fox beerhouse, and went away at about four the next morning. There was beer on the table when I went away. There was some card playing there during the night. The landlord and three other men were present. This was the evidence against the defendant, ti which he replied that he was drunk and knew but little about it. He then called the following witnesses: –
Samuel Miles deposed: On the night of 23rd December, at about ten o’clock, I went to the Fox beerhouse. There were several men there. I heard Mr Jefferies tell those present that time was nearly up, and he should not draw anymore beer that night. I left the beerhouse at seven minutes past ten, and did not go back.
Mary Ann Jefferies (wife of defendant). I went after my husband and brought him home a few minutes before ten on the night of 23rd December. When we got home I saw some cups on the table. I took them into the tap room, locked the tap room door, and put the key in my pocket. I then went to bed, and no one could get any beer without having the key.
Elizabeth Jefferies (daughter of defendant) stated that on the night of 23rd December, Charles Freebury, William Clements, James Mills, Frederick Hyde, and Henry Young came to her father’s house, and stayed there all night. They had no beer till between five and six in the morning. She did not go to bed at all. There was no card playing. Her father was not sober.
The magistrates, after a careful consideration of the whole evidence, came to the conclusion that the men could not have stayed in the house all night without drinking; and having heard evidence that beer was drawn contrary to the act; fined defendant £1 and costs. The money was paid.