The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1869-03-06 00:00:00

CHARGE OF CUTTING AND WOUNDING

AT CRADLEY HEATH.

At the Petty Sessions held on Wednesday last, before
FL Hall. Esq., at Brierley Hill, 'Thomas Morgan, of
Harts Hill, was brought up on a remand from Wordsley.
charged with unlawfully cutting and wounding William
Hampton, of Cradley Heath, on the 22nd ultimo. Mr.
Addison appeared for the prosecution, and Mr. J. Stokes,
of Dudley, for the defence.
Complainant was a chain maker, residing at Cradley
Heath. On Monday. the 22nd alt, he was at Letta' pubs
lic•house, the Talbot inn, about 12 o'clock at night. He
Scat went into the liquor shop, and afterwards into the
bagatelle room, where he saw the prisoner and his
brotherdmlaw, and George Webb, with several others.
Prisoner was playing at bagatelle with several others. A
dispute arose over the play. While the quarrel was going
on, Mr. Letts said he would have no quarrelling there,
and all went outside. When outside the prisoner struck
at George Webb, who struck him again, and the prisoner
and his brother. in.law ran away towards the Four Ways,
in the direction of the brotherdudaw'e boos, In about
five minutes they returned. Prisoner had a knife in his
hand. Did not see him do anything then, but when I
w .8 going up the street, prisoner came to to.- and acid,
You b--, you are one," and struck at me with the
knife. I threw myself back, but the knife caught me
undue thy left eye. Piisoner struck at we again with

_ -
the knife, at my held. I put my left arm up. and was
eat on the hind in two places. Prisoner stink at me
three times. I felt the blood on my baud, and fell down.
II then got up, and stertei to go away to the Five Ways.
to look for a policeman, but did not see one; and about
I half-past two went to Dr. Hodgson's surgery, where my
I wounds were dressed. I know the prisoner well.
Cross-examined: I live at the Five Ways. Have spent
seven weeks is gaol. Have been before the Magistrates
seven or eight times. Have been charged with assault-
ing the police. Have been a prizefighter. lam a kit-
°hen oust ewe. Prisoner was playing at bagatelle in the
parlour. Did not go in to pick up a quarrel. Did not
have any words with the prisoner, but fell from the eff.-cte
of the blow. Prisoner stopped till Webb came up. He
. then struck at Webb, who ran away. I went in the same
Idirection as the men. I was with Webb and his corn-
' panions till three o'clock. A knife was not drawn by
Westwood. He was one of the company. I, Webb, and
others did not set about the prisoner when he came out
of the hotel. Did not follow him up to his brother-in-
law's. He did not have a poker in his hands to defend
himself. I did got throw brick ends at the prisoner. A
person named "Jack Toni" Was present. He ion friend
of mine. He did not knock the prisoner down and take
fini out of his pocket in my presence. I had been
drinking from a quarter to ten till twelve. I went into
Dets'a. I had value spirits there. Was quite sober.
Prisoner was druilit.
George Webb said he was a collier, and rtaided at
Cradley Hath. On the 22nd ult he was at Letts's
pun-
lw-house, Prisoner was there. Prosecutor came in
I shoot twelve o'eloek. Pris Oner and others were playing
at bagateile. A dispute arose, rind 1id.:43., said he would
give me sixpence if I would tight him a quarter Of do
hour. The !annul ordered us all out. Prosecutor did
not say a word to the iri,oner in the house When out
of the house prisoner struck me, and I struck him again.
Prisoner's brother-in-law tin eatetied sen arid afterwards
. went away. When by Meson's, the ironmonger's, I saW
the prisoner with a knife in his hands. It looked likes
curving knife, and prisoner struck Hampton twice. Pro-
secutor fell down. He after got up and ran army. Fri.
sent said" Where'S the soon that struck me?" I said,
"Here I am." Prisoner then litteci tini chis. wp, and
struck at me on the bead; bet I fell towards loin, and
tht knife went throng's me coat. I then went after the
pot cernan, and waited fur hies till ten minutes to three,
when he came. . .

Charles Butler, chain maker, residing at the Five
Ways, said that about half-past one o'clock, he was as-
'listing to carry a man home towards the Waste Bank.
On returning, and when near Mason's house, at Cradley
Heath, he saw John Scoltock with a knife in his hand;
also the prisoner, who struck at the prosecutor with the
knife, ankhit him under the left eye. Sooltoca ran me,
and tried Co put the knife into my heart. I asked him
what for. He then said I was not the man he wanted.
Henry Frederick Hodgson said he was a surgeon prac
Using at Cradley Heath, and was called up about half.
past two o'clock on the morning of the 22nd alt to attend
to the prosecutor. He found him.uffering from two in-
cised wounds on the back of the left hand, and one under
the left eye. They appeared to have been cut with a
sharp instrument. He dressed the wounds. The man
was still under his care, and likely to be for some time.
One ;I the wounds is ammit an inch in length, and the
other went right through the hand.
Cross-examined: There are two flesh wounds. The
bone of the hand was not hurt. The blow on the eye
was very trivial.
Police-constable Fairbanks proved apprehending the
prisoner, and charged him with stabbing William Hamp-
ton on the morning of the 23rd ultimo. Prisoner said,
" You can have me, but I want thorn as they wanted to
set about me." .

This being the ease f,ir the prosecution, Mr. Stokes
said he should not address the Beech, as there was no
deubt a prieur facie case, and should ca.] bin witnesses.
. . • . •

John Seoltock said he was a blacksmith, residing at
Crielb y Heath. On Monday week last prisoner C4lllO to
the house about eight o'clock, and we went to the Talbot
about nine. Prisoner had a quarrel witia Georg- Webb,
and when outside the house Webb struck the urisoner.
I told prisuner to come along, or he would gut IZi.led ; so
they both left, and west to witness's house. Was there
shoat ten minutes, when prisoner went out to go Ileum.
Shortly after he had kit witness heard a noise outside,
and went out to ascertain what was the matter, when he
saw a number of persons Lthting. Did not go near
them, but returned into the house. Prisoner shortly
after followed 6im into the hon.!, and took up a poker,
and said he should defend himself. While prisoner was
in the h muse some one t irew some stones and half-bricks
at the door. Did net rim out with a knife; neither did
the prisons r have a knle. Hal he had a knife, witness
must hate seen him with IL
Prisoner WAS then committed to take his trial at the
next Stafford Assizes.