William Skutt 1913-ca 1982

[Western Morning News, Devon, Saturday 02 January 1937. bad Start Torquay - William Skutt aged 23 years, of 41 Gresham Street, Liverpool, £1 at Torquay Police Court yesterday, when he was fined that amount for being drunk and disorderly at a Torquay hotel at 1 o'clock that morning. Sergt. Bolt stated that he went into the hotel with Con. Hawkins and found defendant stretched out on the floor kicking, shouting,and making use of foul language. Inspector E. Stone told the Magistrates that as a result of defendant's behaviour there might been serious trouble.] [Western Morning News, Devon, Tuesday 26 January 1937. Hotel Dance Scenes, Sequel To Alleged Drunkenness. Amazing Torquay Court Story. Police and Management Quell Fighting. An amazing story of fighting between men, and in which women joined, during the early hours of January 1 in the hall of St. James's Hotel, Torquay, during New Year's Eve dance was told at Torquay Police Court yesterday. James Whitwell, of Carewdon House, Chelston, Torquay, appeared summoned for: "Being the holder of a justices' licence in respect of the St. James's Hotel, Torquay, did permit drunkenness there on January 1, 1937." Mr. G.H.L. Easterbrook appeared and pleaded Not Guilty for Mr. Whitwell. Sergt. Bolt said he was duty at 12.55a.m. on January 1 outside the hotel with Con. Hawkins. As a result of a complaint from the hall porter, witness went into the hotel and entered the gentlemen's convenience, where he saw a man, William Skutt, lying on the floor. Witness sent for manager. Mr. Turtle, and Mr. Horton (a director) to observe the man's condition. Skutt was assisted to the police car and taken to the station. "There was Murder" Account Disturbances Given By Police Officer Witness was then told he was wanted again, for "there was murder." He entered the same convenience where two men were vigorously fighting, stopped the fight, and while dealing with one of the men heard more disturbances from the ball-room landing where no fewer than five, six men were fighting. Women were also involved. The following day Mr. Turtle, the manager, made a statement, and Mr. Horton said that he realized what had happened. January witness saw defendant, who said: I was not there. I am sorry what happened. There were 330 people present at the dance. In reply to Mr. Easterbrook, Sergt. Bolt said that with Chief Inspr. Melhuish,he entered the hotel at about 12.30 that morning and spoke to both Horton and Turtle, and as far as could see everything was in order. Assistance Given. Witness added that both Turtle and Horton gave all the assistance possible. Inspr. Ernest Stone gave evidence, and John Graham, who was at the dance, said that in the convenience a man came in and adopted a pugilistic attitude towards two other men and said: "I'm going to have a go at you." He then turned to the witness, striking him after he (witness) had refused to fight, There was a struggle, and other men, entered and set about witness. One kicked him in face and also in the ribs, a third man, however, came to the rescue. Leaving the building he saw further disturbance on the stairs. He went the hospital to have two stitches in his lip. Frederick Fisher, of Hele, Torquay, corroborated Graham's evidence. Francis Seery, of Liverpool, said when he went to get Skutt's coat to take him home two men kicked and struck him. John Repik, of Rawlin Road, Cheiston, Torquay, said he had never seen such a "set to" in a ball-room. Collapsed on Balcony. Francis Rawlings, of Cheiston, Tornuay stated that Skutt collapsed on the balcony of the ball-room, and witness revived him later. Chief-Inspr. in reply to Mr, Fasterbrook said could not remember saying to Horton, "This is a very orderly gathering seeing that its New Year's Eve." For the defence, Gordon Williams Horton, managing director of Whitwellswells Ltd., said the hotel came under his supervision. On the evening in question both he and Turtle paid frequent visits to all parts of the ballroom. When witness saw Skutt in the cloakroom he formed the opinion that what he had had to drink must have suddenly gone to the man's brain. There was no one drunk and no one in the ball-room in state of intoxication. William Reynolds, 21, Walnut Road, Cheiston, Torquay, thought there was nothing at the dance of which one could complain. Charles Ward, 12, Walnut Road, Cheiston, and Mrs. Gertrude Cresswell, of Belgrave Road, Torquay, corroborated. Refused Entrance. John Turtle, manager of the hotel, said a party of five, in which two men had been drinking, were rejected, and two other men also refused permission. Skutt apologized to witness for the trouble he had caused. Witness did all in his power to stop the fighting. The state these men was one excitement there was certainly none them drunk. Cross-examined the Chief Inspector, witness said he quite satisfied that Skutt was not drunk when he entered the hotel. What drink he had was obtained in the hotel. Fell from chair. William Skutt, 41, Gresham Street, Liverpool; stated that at the dance his chair collapsed, and he remembered nothing else. When he came up at the Court he pleaded "Guilty" to being drunk and disorderly, because he wanted to get away. Miss Rosa Gianoti, a waitress, deposed to seeing Skutt fall and strike his head. Frederick Victor Brain, Hoxton, head porter, said he saw two men carrying Skutt downstairs. He helped Turtle and Horten separate the fighters. Defendant said he had been in the trade for 60 years. "There is a certain element of people who go round the saloons and halls for the one reason of causing trouble in Torquay", he said. Mr. Easterbrook submitted that under no circumstances could a charge be made out for permitting drunkenness on the premises. If there was any drunkenness, and he was not admitting this, the defence had proved that they had taken every precaution during the evening. He asked that the case should be dismissed. After a retirement of about half hour the Bench found the case proved, and fined defendant and ordered him to pay £2,14s.,6d. costs.]