This week 60 years ago: World champion boxer from Highbury claims he was too drunk to punch receptionist

A former world flyweight boxing champion denied he assaulted a hotel receptionist, saying: “I was so drunk, I could not lift my arms to hit anybody.”

Terry Allen, of Highbury Quadrant, appeared in court after an incident at the Victoria Hotel, Brighton.

Allen and an accomplice had been refused a room by receptionist Ronald Madigan, causing Allen to throw a book at him and a flower vase out the window.

He admitted drunk and disorderly behaviour and was fined £11 (equivalent of £243 today).

Meanwhile, a Highbury man was described in court as a “silly and thoughtless fellow” after kicking off outside his Kelross Street home.

Peter Selmes, 26, had been out boozing with work colleagues. He returned home to find he had been locked out of the house by his wife, and was reported to the police for screaming obscenities.

He was fined 40 shillings at Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court, after admitting: “I had been on the firm’s outing and had too much to drink.”