The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-05-10 00:00:00

HALESOWEN.

CHARGE OF STEALING A Ducx —At the Police
Court, on Tuesday, before Messrs. E. Gem, E. B
Phillip., and J. S. Gibbons, Benjamin Rolston and
James Rollinson were charged with stealing on
rive tame duck on the 30th ult., the property of
Henry Raybould. Mr. Stokes defended. Prosecu-
tor, who is a farmer, said he had some ducks. On
the above date he missed one which was worth ss.
Ann Redfern said on the above date she saw the
two prisoners riding in a cart. Rollinson was
driving. She saw them stop the cart and Rolston
got out and walked towards some ducks. He drove
them with a stick. She was about twelve yards
from him. She saw him pick up one of the clucks
and drive away. She then went and told prosecu-
tor what she had seen. She came back and heard
the cart going away but did not see the men.
Eliza Manders said as she stood in the lane the
two prisoners came driving by her from the direc-
tion of Raybonlds. They were driving very fast.
Police-constable Knowles said from information
received he traced the two prisoners to Dudley and
with assistance apprehended them at their owu
homes. He charged them with stealing a duck,
the property of Mr. Raybould. Rollinson said
"It might be further out." The other prisoner
did not make any remark. He examined their
clothes but did not find any feathers on them nor
in the cart, Prisoners had time to clear out the
cart before witness got there. Mr. Stokes addressed
the Bench for the defencs and said that hitherto
the prisoners had borne excellent characters, and
the only witness who had given any evidence against
prisoners was Mrs. Redfern. He asked the Bench
not to convict on the unsupported evidence of one
witness. He could not help saying that he be-
lieved the evidence the woman had given. She be-
lieved it to be true. but he contended that she was
mistaken. It was true that one of the prisoners
drove the ducks and might have tried to pick one
up but did not do as. Had he dene so there must
uave been some feathers ab Jur his chpthes, and as
there must be a doubt he wou,d ask the Benet, to
give his clients the b nefit of it. Edward Nix,
slater, of Dudley, gave the prisoners a good char-
acter. The Bench considered there was a dourit
in the case and discharged the prisoners.
ASSAULT CASE. Noah Barnsley was charged
with assaulting Mary Ann Detheridge on the 21st
ult. Mr. W. S. Hayes appeared for complainant,
iho said that on the above date defendant went t
her sister. They had some words when defendant
struck her sister. Witness tried to stop the dis •
turbance and defendant struck her on the face.
Hannah Dingley, sist r to complainant, said she
was in the house when defendant came in Witness
had previously quarrell d with one of defendant s
children and defendant struck her and made her
nose bleed. Defendant struck complainant and
used bad language. Sarah Bullas corroborated.
Defendant denied the offence. Sarah Dingrey waS
Lhen charged with assaulting Eliza Barnsley on the
same date. The assault complained of was that
defendant threw a broom at her but it did not hit
her. She then threw a stone at her and struck her
on the forehead, leaving a mark. Elizabeth Mor-
ton said she saw the stone thrown but- could not
say it was thrown purposely. Mr. Hayes admitted
that the stone was thrown but said it was a pure
accident. Martha Bullas was then charged with
assaulting Charlotte Elizabeth Barnsley on tme
same date. The defendants in each ease were I
tined 6d and costs.
DRUNKENNESS. Thomas Hingley was charged
with being drunk and disord ,rly on the 19th ult.
Police-constable Parkes. proved finding defendant
drunk at Springhill. He caused a great disturbance
and made use of bad. language. Fined 5s and
costs. William Fox was charged with a similar
offence on the 24th ult. Superintendent Kemp
I said he saw the defendant drunk at eleven
o'clock. He remonstrated with defendant when he
made use Of bad language. Fined 5s and costs.—
George White, fruiterer, was fined 28 61 and costs
for being drank and disorderly in Feckenham St..
on the 22nd ult. Police-constable Webb said that
he was on duty when the defendant came up and
called him a —,— thiff, and charged him wth
falsely swearing against him at the Public Office.
Defendant was drunk. Fined 2s 6d and costs.
COAL STEALING.—Thomas Parkes (9), and Wm.
Basterfield (10), were charged with stealing a
quantity of coal on the Ist just, the property of
the Rowley Station Colliery Company. Mr. Wills,
the sec. and manager of the Colliery proved the
case, and said the Company had recently lost 50
tons of coal. He had often cautioned them. Mr.
ifayes for the defence, pleaded guil, y and said it
was the first time that the defendants had been
charged. Mr. Wills said he did not wish to press
the case, but the Company were losing a great
quantity of coal. Dismissed with a caution.
TRANSFERS.—The Hare and Hounds, Spring Hill,
from Thomas Allen to Arthur Maybury.—A. beer-
house, Short Cross, from Charles Hodgetts to
Caleb Smith.