The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1876-06-10 00:00:00

BRIERLEY HILL.

WILNUL DAISAGE.—At the Police Court, on Monday,
before Messrs. H. Hall and H. Smith, John Turney and
James Moreton, two young men, were charged with
damaging a fence, on the 30th ult, to the extent of ls.---
A keeper named Broad, said he saw the two defendants
get over and damage the fence. He asked Vern what
brought them there and said they were after a bird's
nest.—Defendants pleaded guilty.—Turnev, who was
convicted for trespassing in 1875, was now fined 5s and
costs, and Moreton was ordered to pay costs.
CARD PLAYING.—John Hooper was charged with
playing at cards on the highway, on the 3rd inst
Policesconstable Payne proved seeing defendant with
others playing at "banking " with cards. He caught
defendant but the othars ran away.—Defendant pleaded
guilty and said it was the first time he had done it and
would promisenot to do so again Fined 2s
,9 and colts ;
in default 7 days.
STEALING BOOTS.—Thomas William Owen was charged
with stealing a pair of boots, the property of Henry
Aston, on th 3rd inst.—Prosecutor said he was a hoot
manufacturer and lived at Wallheath. Prisoner had
been in his employ about three months as a boot maker.
Prisoner left the house on Saturday morning and witness
missed a pair of boots from the shop window. He gave
information to the police and the boots were found on
prisoner wrapped up in a handkerchief. They were
worth 125.—Police-constable Banton, stationed at Wall.
heath, said from information received he watched
prosecutor's shop and saw prisoner leave the premises
and go to a public-house oppo,ite Witness followed
him and searched him and found the boots produced on
him. Witness charged him with stealing the boots, and
he said " Take them bock and say nothing about them
Prosecutor refused to do so.—Prisoner said he was guilty
of taking the boots but not with the intention of stealing
them, but he afterwards pleaded guilty and was sentenced
to two months' imprisonment.
CHARGE OF STEALING A BLANKET —Priscilla Wall.
13, was charged with stealing a blauket, the property ot
Thomas Jones, on the Ist inst —Mr. Waldron defended.
—Lucy Jones, wife of prosecutor, said she lived near to
prisoner's mother. She saw the blanket safe at eltveri
o'clock on Wednesday night in a drawer. On Thursday
morning about eight o'clock she heard the prisoner's
voice in the kitchen and when she looked into the
drawer at dor n o'clock the blanket ~as gone. She
saw prisoner with the blanket in her possion.
Prisoner w, nt into the house of a Mrs. Harris with it.
The blanket was worth 45. Cross-examined : She Ii ad
been in the habit of sending prisoner and her brother
to pawn goods for her —The Bench were of opinion that
there was no case against prisoner and she was dis-
charged.
ASSAULTING THE Pouez —Henry ~ of Steurbridee,
was charged with assaulting Police-- ,table Freeman,
on the 21st :tine, 1873.—Mr. Ade,son appeared ti
prosecute. It appears that on the i.bove date (1, fendant,
with three others made brutal attack on Freeman
Two of them were appreb. ..ed and lined, one of them
£lO and the other £5. Defendant and the other man,
who has not yet been apprehended, ab-couded, and de-
fendant was not apprehended until Saturday last at
Stourbridge. Freeman stated that defendant struck him
and kicked him whilst he was on the groued.—Di feed-
ant pleaded guilty and was fined £5 and costs; in default
2 months' hard labour.

BRUTAL ASSAULT.—At the ulice Court, on Thursday,
before Mr. I. Spooner, Stipendiary, George Li me was
charged with assaulting a lad, •named William Si cock,
at Brockmoor. on the 3rd inst. Complainant said he
was at work at Mr. Foster's ironworks, on the above date
when defendant caught hold of him round the neck, and
knocked him over a shaft. He had not ben well since.
Defendant said complanant called him names, and he -
simply pushed him. Mr. Spooner said h woual teach
such men as defendant that they could not take the taw
in their own hands. Re had permanently iejured the
lad, and would have to pay a tine of e 2 and coazs ; ii de-
fault 6 weeks hard labour—Joseph Askias was charged
with assaulting J. Cartwright on the 30th October, 1575.
and Elijah Skidmore, George Skidmore, and Joseph
Askins were charged with assaulting Henry Smith, on
the 3rd inst.— -Elijah Skidmore and Joseph Askins were
further charged with assaulting Susanuah Smith on the
same date.—Cartwright said he lived at the Delph. In
October last, he was at the Travellers Rest Inn. He was
goieg to pay for a quart of ale with a half-crown, when
defendant kuocked it out of his hand.
:Witness stooped
to pick it up when defendant struck him on the face,
and bit a piece out e! his cheek. He was disfigured for
a month.—Defendar` said lie struck complainant and •
bit his cheek becau-Zcompiainant tries to bite him first.
—Henry Smith said he was a miner, and lived at Chapel
Street , Brierley Hill. On Saturday night about half-past
8, he went into the Travellers Rest, with his wife. De-
fendant Askins was there and they had some words to-
gether about --:ork. Askins went out and witness stayed
in the hons-: about 10 minutes. He went to the door awl
saw Askiue nod the two Skidmores. struck hie),
and the other two kicked him. Elijah Skidmore kicked
him on the eye, and the others kicked him on the ribs.
—Snsannah Smith said she went out of the TraveLees
Rest with her husbane, and defendant. Askins. wade use-
of bad language towaids her. Ge. rge Skidmore said.
“If her don't come out.of the road, lot her have one."
Askais Struck-her, laidekeir her down and, kicked her,
When she got up she saw.A'skiiiii and George Skidmore
kicking luer husband. -Defendant, Elijah Skidmore
ki:ked her-on the eye, .and'slie was kicked on the face.
ar.d had oLe tooth kicker:Feint and two other's loosened.
She h it been ecarct-tyable to eat 'anything since, This
defer ceswas that tin -o Ski,lmores went to part Askitis
and Smitb; who -were figlOi er, and that Mrs,. Smith.
strut,: Elijah on 'ha bfreizif. ith an umbrella.—Ellen
Howell :was-called for the elef,ece, and saidshe saw Mrs.
• Smith eatch hold of Askins la. !he Cellar. anti le, was
strugg in; fo•get sway fro':: ...Az. Both Mrs. Smith and
her hustaild struck at Askins. Askins struck. at. Smith,
but the b:ow rnieej hi- '-1 the wife. Elijah
Skidmore went.to pus!: a away so that Askins could
get up.--Mr. Spooner. ised the evidence of this
witness as a lying Witness continuing,
said she stw Mrs.: Smith iiijah Skidmore. on the
Opinion
herself.th s
Joseph
forehead with an umbrelle. :led the blood ran, down his
uwtotridriyal salnidad
dsaelidib,eirinatdelhye spv(airs
tace.—Mr. Spooner said he entirely disbelieved every
uorfed"
Howell, mile r, husband of last witness, said George
Sknlenors struck Smith because Smith struck kskins.—
Mr. Spooner said he did not beleive a word this witness
had-aid, He believed the 'ev.dence of complainants,
but disbelieved the witnes,es. Addressing Askins.
he said he had a long black list against hial. He had
been brought up 10 times, 6 times for assaults, tend the
rest for drunkenness, He was a very violent, bad man,
and must be kept from committing such offences for a
time. Defendant Askius was sentenced to 6 mantas'
hard labour. Elijah Skidmore to two months' hard
labour ; and George Skidmore was fined .e 5 and costs ;
in def stilt 6 weeks' bard labour, George Skidmore paid
the m ney, and 'Atli he and his brother protested their
innocence.