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The Brewers Arms was situated on Preston Street. This pub was present by the 1840s.

Source: Clive Schneidau

HIGHWAY ROBBERY BY NAVIGATORS WILLIAM WATSON and JOHN WALKER were charged with feloniously assaulting Richard Brock, putting him in fear, and stealing five half sovereigns, seven half crowns, and other silver from his person. Mr Kekewich prosecuted, and having opened the case, called Mr Richard Brock, a fine hale looking old man, who said that, on Saturday 14th December, he was at the Half Moon Inn, Starcross. The prisoners were there, with other navigators. A traveller named Rugg came in and began to talk to witness; he laid witness forty shillings that “he would plough as well as any man witness would pick out,” whereupon witness showed his money. Witness left the inn alone between twelve and one. When he had gone some way along the Dawlish road, Walker overtook him, and said “Isn’t there a road goes across the field over to a farm house? We want some place to lie down.” Witness said they had passed the place, but if his companion came up he could show them a short cut. The prisoner then made a signal, and Watson came up, and without one word began to strike him with his fists; they both got hold of witness, and threw him down – took his money and watch from him – and after kicking him about the head left him. William Youlden of Kenton, who was in Mr Brock’s employ, as “skipper” of a barge which he possessed, was present at the Half Moon, but parted from him at the door. Thomas Searle landlord of the Half Moon Inn, said that after Brock left, the prisoners asked him where the farmer lived. He refused to tell them, and they then asked a boy, who told them that he had been digging potatoes for Mr Brock, and that he lived a mile further on the road. Witness suspecting all was not right, followed the prisoners as soon as they left, and having gone about a mile with two other men called Skinner and Abbot, met the prisoners coming back, and a few steps beyond found Mr Brock, who had just raised himself and picked up his hat. Stephen Skinner and Edward Abbot confirmed this statement. John Blewitt, keeper of the Brewer’s Arms, Preston-street, proved that the prisoners came to his house the next morning, and had some beer; Watson changed three half-sovereigns. George Timewell, police officer of Kenton, on the morning of the 17th, went to the house of last witness with Stuckes, the Exeter policeman, and took the prisoner Walker, on whom they found the prosecutor’s watch, with a chain attached (not the chain belonging to Mr Brock), and in another pocket the chain which had been stolen, together with wires for poaching. Money was found on both prisoners; Watson had two half-sovereigns and six half-crowns. The prisoners had nothing to say in their defence, were both found guilty, and sentenced to transportation for life. Source: Western Times, 29 March 1845

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