The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1884-12-20 00:00:00

BRIERLEY HILL.

STEALING FISH. At the Police Court, on Mon•
day, before H. Hall and T. Wilkes Webb, Esqs.,
James Hill was charged with stealing a fish, on the
22nd ult, the property of William Peanon, at
Wordsley.—Mr. Waldron defended.—Harriet Pear-
sot), wife of prosecutor, repeated her evidence given
laet week.—Mr. Waldron said his client was a most
respectable man and on the day in question he was
in company with some more men. lhey had bsen
drinking together and on going by prosecutor's
shop one cf them said he wanted some fish. Prisoner
picked the fish up and gave him, being in a larkish
. mood, and knowing the prosecutor very well. His
client did not take the fish with a felonious intent.
—Mr d Pearson said she thought the prisoner was
only having a lark.--Alr. Hall said it was a most
foolish thing to do, and very dangerous, and the
case would be dismissed on payment of cests.
SELLING ALE TO A DRUNKEN PERSON .—John
Aston, landlord of the Cross Keys Inn, Brockmoor,
was charged with selling ale to a drunken person
on the 22nd ult.—P.S. Lafford said he visited the
defendant's house on the day in question and
there saw a man named Thomas Woodhall, who
was drunk, and offered to fight anyone in the house.
He called the landlord's attention to the man, and
after a few minutes had elapsed, the defendant,
who had previously asked the man (Thomas Wood-
hall) to be quiet, turned him out. Cross-examined:
He dist not see Woodhall supplied with anything.
He did not hear Aston order the man out when he
went in the first time, but he did after.—Thomas
Woodhall said he went to the defendant's house
between 6 and 7 o'clock, and stayed there about
half an hour. He did not know whether he was
there when the officer came in. as he did not see
him. He had share of 3 pints, but he did not pay
for any,—Mr. Waldron said the case was one of
the most important cases their Worships had ever
had before them. He submitted that so far as the
case was concerned no sale took place, except to a
person named Cox, and he allowed Woodhall drink.
here was no evidence given of a sale having
taken place The Beach said there was a very
important point to be considered, and they had
decided to adjourn the case for 3 weeks.
DRUNKENNESS—Thomas North was fined 2s 6:-e
and costs for being drunk on the 6th inst, at Quarry
Bank. P.C. Trotter proved the case.—Benjamin
Brown was charged with being drunk on the 7th
jest, at Wallheah. The case was adjoutned in
consequence of the constable being taken suddenly
ill.—John Burton was charged with being drunk
on the 9th inst, at Peusnett. P.C. Adams proved
the case, and defendant was fined is and costs.—
John Perry was charged with a similar offence on
tee same date, and was fined the same amount.—
Wildam Wood, senr., and William Wood, junr.,
were charged with being drunk on the 6th bast, at
Amblecote. P.C. Jeffrey proved the case. Fined
is and costs.—John Homer was charged with being
drunk and dieonte:ly on the public highway at
Peuenett, on tee 6th inst. Detendant set up a plea
that it was not a public road. P.C. Adams said the
defendant was drunk and creatina a disturbance in
a court in Blewitt Street.—Mr. King (magistrates
clerk) said there was a dispute raised as to whether
it was a highway, and it would be necessary to alter
the summons to a public place, and asked for the
case to be adjourned for a week, which was aceord-
ingly done.—Daniel Heath was fined 2s 6d and
costs for being drunk on the 6th inst at Qharry
Bank. P.C. Trotter proved the case.—George
Ketley was charged with being drunk and dis-
orderly on the 6th inst at Quarry Bank. PC.
Trotter proved the case. rho defendant's mother
asked the Bench to be lenient with him as he was
teeir only support. Previous convictions were
proved against the defendant. Mr. Hall said they
should be lenient with him this time on account of
his mother and father. A fine of lOs and custs wes
itaposed.—William Arley was fined 2s 6d and costs
for being drunk at Wallheath on the sth inst.
P.S. Williams proved the case.—Maria Bott was
charged with being drunk and disorderly on the sth
inst at Amblecote, and was, on the evidence of
P.O Johnson, tined 2s 6d and costs.—George Situp.
'use was charged with being drunk whilst in charge
ef a horse and cart, onahe 6tn inst, at Brettell
Lane. P.C. Jeffrey proved the ease. Previous
convictions were rec riled aeainst the defendant,
and he was mulcted in the sum of lOs an I costs;
in default 14 days.
A LOFTY IDEA.-Wm. 'Wilson, Thomas Henry Wil-
• son,.;and Joseph Wassail were charged with vagrancy
by Bleepin4 in a hayloft, at WordslPy, on the 14th
inst. P.C. Jeffrey said he was pu,hed tirough a
window and saw the defendants sleeping amongst
the hay. The door was fas:enecl inside.-1!S
Williams
.said he was there when the defendsnts
were found in the bit. He spoke to Oil e eueier
about it, and he said he did not allow anyone to
slocp there.—Superintendent Woollaston said that
Wassail wss a very dangerous man to be out at
night. Wassail who has been previously convic-ed,
was fined lOs and coats; in default 21 days; the
others were fined 23 6d and costs.
OBSCENITY —TtIOJZILIS Hurdess was charged wlth
u-ing ouseene . and profane laneuage, at Quarry
Bank, on the 7th in-t. P.C. Trotter proved the
case, but said there wet e not many people about.
Mr. flail said the language was disgusting, and, in
fining him 5s and cthts, said if there had been more
People about he would have been fitted very
heavily.
A SUPPER AND SHIRT STEALER—WiIIiam Shaw
(25) was charged with stealing a handkerchief and
and a supper on the 9 h inst, the property of John
Aston.—John Aston, of N-therten, said he worked
for Mr. Bolcroft, at the Level Furnaces. He was
at work there on the 9th inst. He put his supper
into his basket and hung it eueside a hovel at the
works. He saw it safe about 20 minutes belore 7
He saw the prisoner in the hovel about that time
He Ini•sed his supper about a to 7.—Emma Beurne
said that on t: e 9th inst she took, her husband's
supper to the Level Fuintices about 7 o'clock. She
saw. the prisoner in the 'novel with prosecutor's
basket.—P.C. Hughes said from information he le-
ceived he arrested the prisoner and charged !din
with stealing a handkerchief, half a pound of pork,
arid iwaie bread and cheese, the property of John
Aetna. Prisoner said, 'There was no cheese; I've
inst the liandk-rcLiel; an3.l shan't get above 21
(la) s."— i'risoner was then furthe: charged with
titealing a shut, the property of Charles Bourne, on
the 9th iest.--Emina Bonnie said the shirt (pro.
duced)"wes her husband's. She took it to the works
on Monday night. it was a shift her husband
worked in, and was not worth much.—P.C. Hughes
aid that having the prisoner in custody ou the
tirn chat ge, he chargea him with stealing the shirt.
Pr;soner said "Yes, Mr. Hughes," He received the
shirt front ax isenet's u.o,her.— Prisoner was com-
mitted to take hie trial at the next titefford Quarter
Sessions.
THEFT OF fawn—William Henry Green was
charged with stealing a quantity ot iron, the pro-
perty al the Earl of Dudley, on the 12th in-t. The
case was not pressed on behalf of the prosecution,
and ee'eralant was ordered to pay the costs,