The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1885-01-31 00:00:00

BREACH OF THE PAWNBROKERS' ACT

At the West Ham Police-court on Friday, Thomas
Barrett, of Mile-end-road, was summoned under the
Pawnbrokers' Act, for giving false ikformation rela-
tive to an article offered in pledge. The defendant
did not appear to the summons, but a Mr. Williams,
who was summoned for an offence at the same time,
came forward, and in a loud and violent tone, an-
nounced that he would take Barratt's place. His
conduct which followed was so violent that Williams
was removed by order of the magistrate, and service
of the summons having been proved against Barratt,
hi 3 Worship said he would issue a warrant for
his arrest. The case of Mr. Williams was
then called on, he being summoned for
abusive and insulting language to Edward Bussey,
a pawnbroker, of High-street, Stratford, on
the 15th instant. Mr. Attenborough, in briefly
stating the facts of the case, said that on the day in
question a man named Barratt went to Mr. Bussey's
and offered in pledge an albert chain and locket for
the sum of Di. Some questions arose as to the
ownership of the chain, when the prisoner Barratt,
who said it was his, went out and called the defendant
in. Williams at once demanded the chain, saying it
was his, and thus, as there were two claimants for the
chain, Mr. Bussey expressed his intention to retain
the chain and hand it to the police. Defendant then
became very abusive, and at last was ejected, when he
went to the front door of Mr. Bussey, endeavoured to
push it open, used very bad language, and caused a
crowd to assemble. During the whole time Mr.
Attenborough was stating the case, the defendant
repeatedly interrupted in a loud tone, and was so dis-
orderly, that at last his„worship said if he were not
quiet he should order him to be remanded in custody
for a week. Mr. Bussey was then sworn, and gave
his evidence amidst interruption from the defendant.
A. lady here came forward and Mr. Phillips eliciting
that she was the defendant's landlady, asked her to
speak to the • defendant, and endeavour to keep him
quiet. This lady spoke to the defendant, and he said
he woulu let the case go on anyhow, but very soon
afterwards he broke out afresh in caluminating Mr.
Bussey, and raising his voice to such a pitch that little
else could be heard.--Mr. Phillips then ordered him
to be remanded in custody for a week.--His landlady
asked for bail, but it was refused.—Subsequently
Barratt appeared in court; but the magistrate pro-
ceeded with the hearing of a charge against William
Hyde, of Denmark-road, Camberwell, for giving false
information to Joseph Withers, pawnbroker, of Lom
bard House, West Ham-lane, Stratford, with reference
to a chain offered in pledge. This case was proved,
and then it was stated that Williams wished to anolo-
gise.—Mr. Phillips ordered him to be placed in the
dock, when he stated that he wished to plead guilty to
the charge preferred against him.—Mr: 'Phillips then
fined Barratt £lO and costs. Williams .E 2 and-costs,
and Hyde £lO and costs.—Williams threw down the
money for himself and Barrett with oaths, and was
finally turned out of court. Later in the day he was
taken into custody, and locked up for violent conduct
at the shop of the prosecutor.