The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-03-01 00:00:00

HIMLEY.

A POLICEMAN CHARGED WITH AN INDECENT
ASSAULT.-At the Sedgley•Police Court, on Mon-
day, before Mr. I. Spooner (Stipendiary) and Mr.
F. A. Homer (magistrate), Willliam Enoch, a
police, officer stationed at Swindon, near Himley,
was charged with indecently assaulting Alice Cook
(10, in the Himley Road, Himley.—Mr. Harper,
of Dudley, who appeared fcr the defence, said
there was no date in (the summons on which the
offence was alleged to have been committed, and
he could not see therefore how the case was to pro-
ceed.—Mr. Spooner Said the date could easily be
inserted in the summons —Air. Harper then asked
for the case to be adjourned, and the Bench re-
manded the accused, but agreed to accept bail.—
It is alleged that the defendant when making
inquiries in the Himley Road met the complainant
and five other girls, and committed the offence
complained of.

OLD HILL.

CHARGE OF DRUNKENNESS.—At the Police Court
held on Wednesday, before Messrs. F. L. Smith
and W. Bassa,no, Eli Hill and Phcebe Hill were
charged with being drunk and disorderly on the
night of the 16th ult. Mr. Shakespere defended:
Police-constable Sylvestre said that the defendants
kept a public-house called the Railway Tavern,
Cladley Heath. About nine o'clock he saw the two
defendants quarrelling. They were both drunk and
making use of very bad language. Visited the house
again at 20 minutes to ten o'clock. The woman
was in the house drunk. He saw them both again,
and they were:quarrelling. Told them he should
report their conduct. Eli told him to go to --
The defendants conduct had been previously re-
ported to him. This witness was cross examined
at some length to show that he bought a pig of the
defendant some time ago, and had only paid for a
part of the pig. This was denied by witness.
Police-constable Farnell said he visited the house
with the last witness at 9 40, and saw both defend-
ants in the house. They were both quite drunk,
and could not articulate their words. Mr. Shake-
spca e for the defence slid from the instructions he
had received, and the witnesses he was going to
call, either one side or the other had committed
gross perjury. He contended that it was a matter
of spite; that about eight months ago defendant
sold Sylvestre a pig for 285.; that he had only paid
10s; and that the defendant had threatened to sue
him in the County Court, when the policeman
threatened he would have him before long. The
witness he was about to call would swear that the
defendants were perfectly sober; that the polire-
man was under the window harkening; the defen
dant found him there, and asked him what he was
doing, when the polictman said he would have him
again. He considered that the policeman had
stretched the evidence, and had shown a good
of animosity, and called Samuel Rider who said he
was in the house reading a newspaper, when police-
constable Sylvestre came in. It was between seven
and eight o'clock. They were laughing about
Peace, when Sylvestre said, "What game's that,"
He did not speak to the:police and would swear that
both the defendants were perfectly sober. De-
fendant about eight months ago had a pig for Bile.
He offered him 27s for it. Sylvestre bought the pig.
He heard Hill ask for:the balance of account for the
pig and Sylvestre said that he had paid for it. John
Williams was called, and said the defendants were
perfectly sober. The Bench retired to consider their
verdict, and on returning said they considered the
case proved. The defendant himself had swore that
he had only been convicted once ; at the same time
he•had been three times convicted, and fiued Eli
Hill 20s and costs, and the wife 10s End costs.
CHARGE OF WILFUL DAMAGE TO A GUN.—Moses
Thompson was charged with wilfully damaging a
gun on the 18th ult., the property of Thomas
Watson. Mr. Addison defended. Complainant is
a watchman, and on the above date the defendant
,came to his hovel with others. They were making a
noise and he told them not to make such a noise, and
go about their busines. Picked up a gun, when the
defendant laid hold of it, and he threatened to
blow his brains out. When the defendant took it
off him he broke it in pieces. The value of the
gun was £3. Mr. Addison, for the defence, said
that the defendant and others were in the habit of
having their tea in the hovel. Some boys came and
made a noise, when the complainant pieked up the
gun and said he would shoot them. The de-
fendant jumped up, and said you shall not shoot
anyone, and took the gun off him and broke it.
The complainant is in the habit of running boys
with the gun, which was capped and loaded. On
one occasion it so frightened a boy, that he
has had fits ever since. On other occasions com-
plainant was in the habit of carrying a long piece
of iron sharpened, and running boys, and it was
very fortunate for the complainant that the de-
fendant took the gun off him, or he might have
been placed in a very different position. William
Johnson said that on one occasion the complainant
pointed a gun to his head, and threatened to shoot
him. Had been frightened ever since and had fits.
There was a cap on the gun on the day in question,
and he was running after some boys, when the
defendant took it off him and broke it. James
Johnson corroborated.—The defendant was fined
2s 6d and costs, and ordered to pay 10s the value
of the gun.
CHARGE oF THEATS.—.. Joseph Johnson, was
charged with using threats to Thomas Watson on
the 18th ult. Defendant is a boy, and the com-
plainant on being asked if he was afraid. said he
was not, and the case was dismissed.
DRUNK AND DlSORDleltair.—Joseph Hill was
eliarged with being drunk and disorderly, on the
night of the 25th ult.' at Old Hill. Police-con
stable Johnson proved the case, and said the de-
fendant was fighting. Police constable Wickstead
corroborated. The Magistrates said from what
the defendant had said, they thought the defend-
ant was the wrong man, and dismissed the sum-
mons.
DRUNK ON LICENSED PREMISES.—Henry Pugh
was charged with being drunk on licensed premises
on the 17th ult. Police-constable Farnel said that
he saw the defendant at the White Swan public.
house. He wanted to fight and.waa drunk. Fined
fis and costs, in default; 14 days.
A WIFE BEATER.—William Anson was charged
with assaulting his wife, Mary Anson, on the 17th
alt. Complainant said thati;bo defendant Was in the
habit of beating her, and on one occasion she
summoned him before, and forgave him. On the
above date he struck and kicked her, and she was
bruised all over the body. Fined 10s and costs,
and ordered to find one surety in £lO, and himself
in .220, to keep the peace for six months.

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