THROUGH THE ARCHIVES: Bookmaker sues soldier for ‘slanderous remarks’

Portadown Civil Bill Court was the setting this week for an interesting civil case in which Mr Solomon D Beerman, a credit-draper and bookmaker, sued Mr James A Pickering, a Portadown publican who was then serving in the 9th Battalion RIF and was stationed at Newtownards. Mr Beerman had taken the action to recover damage for slander, assault and battery.

On the Easter Monday past it was alleged that sports had been held at the recreation grounds in Portadown during which Mr Pickering had confronted Mr Beerman demanding that he pay him a sum of money which he claimed he was owed from an event held at the grounds three years previously.

When Mr Beerman refused to pay out Mr Pickering became insulting and called Mr Beerman a “fraud” and “a rogue”.

As this was happening a hostile crowd had gathered round the two men and Mr Beerman had been forced to give up his business, returning the money for bets he had taken that day.

Giving evidence to the court Pickering said he had never laid a hand on Mr Beerman.

His Honour gave an order for £5 5s, to be reduced to £1 if the articles taken from the plaintiff’s clerk were returned.

He said that the plaintiff’s character as a bookmaker had been affected by the defendant’s statements; it was now re-established by the action before the court and that nothing could be said against him.

The plaintiff afterwards instructed his solicitor to lodge an appeal.