Isle of Wight Victorian and Edwardian courtroom drama

All court cases were attended by a reporter who would keep a strict record of every word uttered, much of which would appear in that week’s paper.

To add spice to the lurid details, whoever wrote the headlines for the reports had a sense of humour.

An account of a drunk man fighting in the street bore the headline: A pugilistic inebriate.

An account of two women smashing each other’s windows in an argument which got out of hand was headed: Neighbourly amenities.

And then there was the case of a Shanklin woman charged with having used “profane language” in Orchardleigh Road.

This elegant building is home to Watson, Bull and Porter today but to an older generation it was, as the sign says, Murdochs, who were still trading in the 1970s. (Image: Brian Greening Collection/County Press)

PC Sibbick told the court: “She used the language to her husband while on her doorstep and continued it inside for two hours and could be heard outdoors.”

The headline read: A wife talks to her husband.

Here are a few others that raised a muffled titter in court.

On February 12, 1887, the County Press reported: “George Hall, labourer, was charged with being drunk and disorderly and refusing to leave the Sun public house in Holyrood Street.

“PC Matthews said that on Saturday night, about ten o’clock, he was outside the Sun.

"He saw prisoner go in and almost immediately afterwards was called in to eject him for fighting.

“There were glasses broken and the glass in the door was broken too. Hall refused to go home so he was locked up for the night.

“Prisoner told the court he was not drunk; he was only defending himself.

“The glasses were already broken and so was the door glass.

“The mayor said that as prisoner had been locked up since Saturday night, the case would be dismissed, and he expressed the hope that prisoner would not be brought there again.

This is Newport Quay in the early part of the last century, seen from roughly where the Bargeman’s is today. In the background are the Lydia and the Vixen. Over 100 years later, the crane can still be seen to this day alongside the quay outside the Classic Boat Museum. (Image: Alan Stroud/County Press)

Prisoner replied: "I shouldn't have come here now if I hadn't been brought.” (laughter).

On June 16, 1906, Jane Langman was found guilty of using her house in Orchard Street, Newport, for prostitution, but she wasn’t going to go quietly.

As the County Press reported: “She was summoned for permitting her premises to be used for habitual prostitution.

“PCs Collins and Clark concealed themselves near defendant's house for several evenings and witnessed the visits of soldiers and others.

“Defendant challenged a statement of PC Clark, saying: I don't like to call you a liar, but you have got a false pair of jaws.

“She further said: Can't I have a friend or two if I like, to come and see me?

“Defendant was sentenced to one month's imprisonment with hard labour.

Carisbrooke High Street in Edwardian times by the look of it, and very early in the morning judging by the shadows. Carisbrooke in those days was served by a railway station and was a very popular tourist destination, hence two hotels. (Image: Alan Stroud/County Press)

“Defendant: Thank you. I am very pleased.”

In January 1907, under the headline: an insolent poacher, Frank Tross of Northwood pleaded guilty to poaching.

The County Press reported: “Mr George Moore, assistant gamekeeper, stated that on December 17 he saw defendant's lurcher dog hunting in Ridge Copse.

“He asked Tross what he was doing there, and defendant said he did not know.

“Asked by the bench if he wished to say anything, defendant replied: No. I can talk to a man but not a pig.

“The chairman: I don't know what he means - is he drunk?

“The Magistrates' clerk: I don't think so. It is only a pure insult, sir.

“Fined £1 and 5s. costs.”

This is upper High Street, Ryde, photographed by William Hogg, postcard producer of Ryde in about 1910. The glass negative reveals that the policeman in the foreground is PC 9. Further up the road is one of his colleagues. (Image: Alan Stroud/County Press)

In July 1907, Margaret Chambers, described in court as the ‘biggest nuisance in Cowes’ was arrested when she was found on the ground, drunk, and using what PC Chisholm said was the most disgusting language he had ever heard.

She was also quite vocal in court.

The County Press reported: “Defendant, in reply to being charged with being drunk and disorderly, said: I dare say it is right, sir. I take fits (of drunkenness).

She was imprisoned with hard labour for seven days.

“Defendant refused to leave the dock and was forcibly removed by several police, who carried her out of the court screaming.”