The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1871-04-22 00:00:00

771113 Pr: OPP!.

playing at cards, and -defo.. :nit was pr.
Saw them play '24 games it seen ,11-tom
was for 3d per game. Defendant received a
halfpenny on every winner, and witness saw him
him receive Bcl altogether. Most of those pre-
sent were youths, but those playing were men.
He saw betting going on, and defendant said if
they did not play faster it would not pay for
candles. P.C. Poole gave corroborative eN
deuce. William Forrest said he was present at
defendants house on the above date. Saw card-
playing and betting going on. Some were curs-
ing and swearing. He bad been at the defend-
ants house more than a hundred times. Cross-
examined : I have read in your house many a
time. Dick Turpin, the highwayman, on a Sun-
day night to pass the time away.—The charge
was altered to unlawfully gaming and betting.
Defendant said he did not think he was doing
any harm. The Bench remarked that he was
getting a living by it, and said defendant wits
doing a great deal of mischief by allowing gam-
ing, and having such books read on a Sunday,
and that he had rendered himself liable to a fine
of .ClOO., but as this was the first charge against
him, they would treat him rather lenient. He
was fired 50s and costs in default two mouths'
hard labour.

ASSAULT CASE.—William Hill, of Oldswin-
ford, was charged with assaulting W Heath, on
the 9th inst. Complainant said on the above
date defendant went to Hagley Tap-house, cal-
led for some ale, paid for it, and then called for
two cigars. He refused to pay for the cigars,
and witness took one out of his hand. Defend-
ant laid hold of him and struck him three times.
Complainant did not strike again. Ann Robin-
son corroborated. Jabez Pearson was called for
the defence to prove that complainant caught
hold of defendant. 1. ined ss. and Costs.
ALLOWING GAMlNG.—William John Rhodes,
landlord of the Rose and Crown Inn, Lye, was
charged with allowing gambling in his house on
the 11th inst. P.S. Jones said he was near de-
fendants boos° at 10 minutes past two o'clock
at night. He heard some one in the kitchen,
and betting Was going on as he heard one say
The side for twopence." He heard that re-
peated several times, and heard the rattle of
dice. Went into the kitchen and saw a man
named Steadman put something into his pocket.
He asked him ohat it was and Steadman said
nothing. He afterwards pulled some dice out
of his pocket. Mr. Littlewood remarked that it
was a bad case, as defendant was cautioned when
he locked the house up. He was fined ..t3 and
costs, and if he came there again he would be
fined .£lO.
STEALING LOOKING-GLASSEL—Sarah Lash.
ford was brought up on remand charged with
stealing two looking-glasses, the property of
Alexander Wyre. Complainant said he lived at
Careless Green. He had missed two looking-
glasses, and on going to prisoner's house, found
them under some clothes at the top of the stairs.
They were worth 2s. P.C. Walton proved ap-
prehending prisoner on the 180. He charged
her with stealing two looking-glasses the pro-
perty of Alexander Wyre. She said she took
one but not the other. Prisoner pleaded guilty
and was Bent to prison for 7 days.
A CAUTION.—George Davis was charged with
having refused to admit the police on the 10th
inst. P.C. Walton and JAILUS Turner proved
the case. Defendant said he was not aware it
was the police. Ordered to pay the costs.