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

SERIOUS CHARGE OF POACHING AT

THE STEWPONEY.

William Taylor, Charles Edwards, William Elvis, and
WEhaat &Vies, were charge I by William Toy, game-
keeper. with having unlawfully taken a rabbit in the road
leading from Kidderminster to Wolverhampton at Hens-
ley Park, in the Parish of Kinver, on land in the 0000.
lotion of William Robins. Bayliss did not appear.
Mr. Perry prosecuted, end Mr. bannders defended.
William Toy said he was is gamekeeper in the emplo:
of Mr. Foley, of Prestwood. On the above date he wai
coming along the turnpike road by Duneley Manor, on
the Kidderminster and Welverhampton road. Walter
Rock, Charles Wakeman, and Hartill were with him.
He saw two dogs beating a field. It ass about a quarter
to twelve at night. It was • field on the right hand side
of the road going to the Stewponey. The men did not give
' him a chance to tell who they were. He had not seen
them before. The defendants were the men he saw that
night. He would swear that. They were going towards
Kidderminster. When he met them he told them they
must keep the dogs out of the field. Elvis asked what
was it te do with him. Witness told them his name was
William Toy, and he was a keeper for Mr. Foley. The
dog than come over the hedge, with a rabbit in its mouth
Elvis took it from the dog and put it in his pocket. Wit-
ness told him be must have his name or the rabbit.
Elvis then put the stone produced into a sling and struck
at witness. Taylor dropped a atone and said• This is the
very man we want to meet." Witness picked his stick
up, and Taylor knocked it out of hie band. Edwards
was trying to get at witness. A general fight ensued,
and one of the dogs jumped on to witness's back. They
were limbers. Witness ultimately secured Elvis, and
gave him into custody of the police. Mr. Robins keeps
the field, and Mr. Foley has the @bootleg over it,
Cross-examined : I laid the information before Mr.
Freer, at Stourbridge. So one went with me to lay the
information. I was sworn to it. I had been On my beat
ell day, and had been at the Wellington Inn. I went
there about seven o'clock at night. Rock and Wakeman
came in after I was there. I left the Whittington before
saw defendants. I went walking towards Hensley. I
met with the defendants after that. Might have stopped
et the Whittington until after ten o'clock. I then went
along the Kidderminster road and met defendants about
ten minutes before twelve. Hoek was going with me.
' Wakeman was not, bat Hartill was. I saw the other men
at the Whittington Inn, between nine and ten o'clock.
they did not leave with me; I left before them. They
overtook me at the cross roads a little after eleven. I
had not got a dog with Inc that night. Rock had one .
aad it was a lurcher. Wakeman had not got one. Rock's 1
dog was not away from no. Will swear it was not Rock's
dog that was in the field. It was not out of the road. I 1
aid not ask Rock to come with me. Have known him •
.bout twenty years. He lives at Wollaston, and works
lir Mr. Foster. I did not know that Rock was coming to
the Whittington Inn thet night. It is the first time I
have been out with Rock and his lurcher. I gave the on*
man a pretty good thrashing. Elvis used the stone; but
Bayliss did not. Rock's dog was in the road when the
Aber dog brought the rabbit. Did not see either of the
defendants in the field. The dogs were in the field beat.
mg. I was *ober. I had only had two pints of ale that
evening. I was not tossing. I went to the Whittington
Inn to catch some men who were squirrel hunting.
By the Bench: There were three men with me when
we saw the defendants, and it was rather light.
Walter Rock said he lived at Wollaston, and worked at
Foster's. On the 2nd lest be was with Toy at the Whit.
tington Inn. He was going along the road when Toy
passed him, and he joined him. He was going towards
btewponey, when he saw two lurchers in the field. It
was about a quarter to twelve. It was about 300 yards
from the Stewponey on the right side. The dogs were
beating the field, and he heard a rabbit cry out. He
heard four fellows behind talking. They were in the
road and the three defendants were three others. He
did not know their names then. They were whistling
the dogs. One of them asked Toy what it was to do with
him. It was Elvis. One dog came through the hedge
with a rabbit in his mouth. Elvis took the rabbit off the
dog, and put it in his pocket. Toy demanded the rabbit,
but Elvis said he should not hare it, and pulled a stone
out of his pocket and pat it in a sling, and sent it at Toy.
It missed him. Toy called upon witness to assist him,
and a fight began between the lot of them. Elvis was
caught and handed over to the policeman.
Cram-examined: I had a little bulldog with me. Tay-
lor is an old offender. He has not been out with me. I
might have been tidoro the magistrates for stealing a
g.ose. Have not been convicted for stealing • goose. It
was not for poaching. I was at the Whittington Inn

before Toy. I got there about eight o'clock in thsem.
log, and left about eleven. Toy went out ~,for g me. /
overtook him. My dog is not a lurcher. He ha, nee*
had the alliance to catch • rabbit. We went to Whittine,
ton to fetch some fishing lines. The dog that cameo',
the hedge went to Toy first, and then to one of defend.
ante. My dog was beside me all the time. I know I
i man named Joseph Sedgley. His wanted to give ess
money not to come against defendants. Ido not kiwi,
man named Squire.. Sedgley asked me what Iyolk take. Had share of s pint of ale with Toy. Bad Ned spoken to him for three months before that night Ith
untrue if Toy has said I have not spoken to him for be
or six years. I have never been with Toy at the Whit.
tington Inn.
Charles Wakeman end Zephaniah Hartill sorroborated
Rock.
Police-constable Acock (Kinver) said on the aboee del. be received defendant Elvis from the custody of Toy. Hs
asked hie name and he said William Elvis, and that he
lived at Brussels-street, Kidderminster. bet afterward,
said he lived in Hill-street He said the name. of the
other three were David James, Jones, and Pearce. Wit-
ness new Toy, who was eober. It was about half put 12
when he saw him.
Sergeant Baldwin said he found out that their names
were William Taylor, Charles Edwards, William Bayliss,
and William Elvis. Elvis soil to him they were there,
but they were very badly used.
Mr. Saunders, in defence, contended that there wean° evidence against hi. clients. It was not proved that We
dogs belonged to them.
The Bench retired for • short time, and on returniag
the defendants pleaded guilty, and were filled 30. 414
Coat.; in default one month. The money pa. paid.
Mr. Perry aiiplied for an adjournment in the ease ot Baylis., who has his leg broken. His case was adjourned sine die.