The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1871-05-06 00:00:00

STOTIRIMIDGF 014bYlIVE11.

THE LYE.
DTSGRA,Zt.FUL ASSAULT AT THE LYE

At the Ste, l.ridge Police Court, on Saturday, before
311. H. h Freer. four re n, named respectively Jolly
l iworet Teeeph Attwood k .mrles Southall, chainwakerN,
and El.jah Hill. boot mid shoe maker, all of Cradley,
were brought up on a charge of brutally assaultieg
I.Tnniannel Forrest, driver, of Cradley, .in the night of
Thicsday. the 27th ult. It appeared that Police-constable
Hee was On. duty In the neighbourhood of Stamber Mill,
just before out, c'clock on Friday morning the 28th ult.
When neer In Mr. Attwood's worko he saw the complain-
ant lying on the ground. Upon going to him he at firrt
theught that he was dead, ac he lay apparently lifeless.
However, upon trying to lift him up Forrest uttered
several groans, but was insenaible, and was covered with
blood. The officer succeeded in getting him to the
nearest public.houtre, whets he aroused the inmates, anti
some warm water was soon provided, with which Forrest's
head and face were washed. IN lien recovered from his
unconsciouri state, he was taken to Pr. Melina, of Crad•
ley, under whose care he still remains. He gave the
officer the names of the above men as having assaulted
hin, before he became insensible, and a warrant was nb-
tained, and they were arrested by Police-constables Bea
and See on Friday afternoon the 28th ult, at Cradley.
The complainant etates that on the previous day lie
brought a fat braid from Birmingham to Stoorbridge,
and was returning home late at night, when be was over-
taken on the road by the four defendants, near to Mr.
r.ttwood'a works. Some words were esehanged about an
..1.1 grievance between him and one of them, and they
said he should not go the same way as they did. On en-
deTivouring to get away from them lie was assaulted and
kicked in a brutal manner, until he became uncormcious.

Defeodants were brought up at the Police Court, yes-
terday, before H. 0. Firmatone and W. C. Firmctone,
chargei with asomitin2 Emmanuel Forrest with
intent to do him gracious bodily harm on the 27th
ult.
Mr. Collis defended. _ .

Complainant said he lived at Cradley, and on the above
date he had been to Stourbridge. On returning home,
and when near the Lye Church the four prisoners over.
took him. John Attwood aid he should not go the same
road as they did. He then went across the road. John
Attwood followed him and punched him with his lists.
The other three then went and pitched into him, knocked
him down and kicked him- He R. stunned for sone
time. They kicked him on the fare and head.

Cross•examined : I had been drinking. Was quite 'so-
ber. Did not assault any one before I got to the Lye.
Did not knock a man oil his velocipede. Did not have a
.tick in my hand through the Lye. Left it at btour-
bridge. Was not throwing stones at houses when de-
fendants came up. Did not strike John Attwood with •
atick. Did not challenge him to fight nor knock him
down. There was a brick wail near where it took place.
Did not fall against ,t and hurt my head. Was kicked
by all defeedants. I was tined for assaulting Mlles. John-
son, Cannot say who kicked me first. Morgan did not
tall me to go away or I should get hied up.
. . lt.

Elizabeth Know' les, Lye, soil that on the above date
she was by the Red Lion. She went to the door and saw
live men coming up the Road. The four defend•nts were
there. They passed farther up the real, and she saw
tinri e men thrashing another. Forrest was knocked
down. He cried for mercy, and asked them not to kick
bun.

Crose.examined : The man cried out " murder:, I was
afraid to go close. I went to the house to call sonic
nice up but did not call them. The three man were
beating Forrest for some time.
Wiliam Morgan, landlord of the Pear Tree Inn, the
Hayes, said his attention was drawn to • disturbance out-
•ide his !armee. He got up to the window and saw four
men crating from the road opposite his house. Heard
one say, "We will give the b -- something for fol-
lowing us." 'I hey went up the Hayes Hill towards Crad-
ley. Shortly after Forrest came to his house. Two of.
ficers came in. He got some hot water and bathed nor.
rest. He was much injured about Lae face and head.
P.C. Rea said be was on duty on the above date. His
attention was attracted by a man groaning and making a
noise. He went in the direction and found Forrest. He
was insensible. There were pools of blood. Witness as-
sisted him to Morgan's house. He gave him the defend-
ant. names. He appeared perfectly sober.
. . , .

. a
The charge was altered from an' in.lictab:e offence to
one of common assault. -

Mr. Colin addressed the Beneh for the defence, and
mud complainant was aggressor by first htrikipg John
Attwood with • stick.

- 7 Alfred Flemming said he met complainant by the via-
duct. Forrest pushed him off a bicycle, and hit him
sith a stick. He abused him all the way to the Lye.
Witness thought he was either drunk or mad.
John Brown, keeper of the Hay Green Gate, said be
saw complainant abusing last with.a and refuse to let
him get on his bicycle. He cautioned complainant, lie
lull knuwn him for years.

, _
Eli Forrest said he saw complainant pick up at inea
He said he should go where defendants went. Did all
see what took place. Heard them all haggling together.
The Bench retired for a time and on returning Mr. W.
Firrnstone said they were of opinion that a savage and
brutal assault had been committed, no doubecomplainant
bad in some measure provoke] it. Defendants were
tined 10a each and costs, in default one month's impris-
onment.