Mexborough & Swinton Times – Friday 03 June 1932

Supper Beer

Kilnhurst Club Prosecution

“I did not know I was doing wrong, I have got my beer there for five years. If there had been six policemen on the doorstep, I would have gone in,” was a statement said to have been made by Lilian Blackburn, 60, housewife, of 86, Hooton Road, Kilnhurst, when P.Sergt. Johnston served a summons upon her for obtaining beer from the British Legion Club at Kilnhurst, when a non-member. She was summoned along with Enoch Horton, 35, miner, of 49 Hooton Road. Kilnhurst, at Rotherham West Riding Police Court on Monday. Horton was summoned for supplying beer to a non-member.

Mr. J. P. Crehan, solicitor, of Rotherham. defended and pleaded guilty on behalf of Mrs. Blackburn and “not guilty” for Horton.

Supt. T. Horton, M.B.E, said the case was just another of those where clubs considered they could do just as licensed houses without paying for the privilege.

P.Sergt. Johnson said about 10 p.m. on May 10th, he was on duty at Hooton Road, Kilnhurst, when he saw Mrs. Blackburn carrying an empty pint pot. She entered the Kilnburst British Legion Club and witness saw her go through an inner door to the bar. Through a bar window which was partially covered by a curtain he saw Horton serve Mrs. Blackburn with some beer for which she paid fourpence.

When she came out he stopped her and asked her what she had and she replied. “Its my supper beer.” Witness then asked her if she was a member of the club, and she answered. No. but I always get my beer there.” Mrs. Blackburn was then asked who supplied her with the beer, she gave the name of Enoch Horton. Horton was called out of the club, and when witness asked him if he had served the beer, he said. “Yes, but it’s not much after ten is it?” Witness told him he would be reported for supplying the beer and he said, “Well, her husband is a member.”

Mr. J. IP. Crehan said against the uncorroborated evidence of the police sergeant he would (all a number of witnesses who were at the club en that particular night and who would say that Mrs. Blackburn did not go to the bar and was not served with beer. Mrs. Blackburn was in the habit of going to the club for beer. (In that particular night her husband left home at 9.40 p.m. to go to the club and asked her to call at the club for her gill of beer. She went and saw her husband who obtained a gill of leer, and taking it to the billiard room, emptied it into the pint pot winch Mrs. Blackburn had brought. At no time was Horton serving the beer; Mrs. Horton, who was stewardess, was serving. The secretary of the club. who was also present, would say that at no time did Mrs. Blackburn go to the bar.

Ernest Blackburn, husband of the woman defendant, said he was a member the club, and he purchased a gill of beer from the bar and took it into the billiards room and poured it into the pint pot. Mrs. Horton served him with the beer. He had done this many a time, and on occasion had taken it across to his house. None of the committee knew of this practice, and the club was conducted well. He had been suspended from the club since this incident on account of breaking club rules. Both he and his wife had gone straight through life and now they were at court for a paltry three pennyworth of beer.

Percy Lloyd, secretary of the dub, of 7, Hooton Road. Kiinhurst, said he had been secretary for the last five years. This was the first time an offence had been alleged against any of the club’s officials. He was present on May 10th and he never saw Mrs. Blackburn go to the bar but he saw Mr. Blackburn there. it was a well conducted club. He did not know that Mr. Blackburn was carrying on such a game.

Enoch Fisber, of 33, Victoria Street, Kilnburst, club trustee, said he did not see Mrs. Blackburn go to the bar.

Clara Horton, wife of Enoch Horton, the stewardess, said Mr. Blackburn purchased beer from her but not Mrs. Blackburn.

Mr. E. Rose (presiding) said the magistrates had given careful consideration to the case and they had found both defendants guilty.

Horton was fined 40s. and Mrs. Blackburn 20s.