The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1870-04-30 00:00:00

Xocal anb pistritt gem

A RAID ON A FLOCK OF SHEEP.—John White
(271, and Thomas Griffin (15), drovers, are in
custody on a charge of stealing eleven ewes and
thirteen lambs, the property of Mr. Thomas
Heath, of Iversley Farm, early on Sunday
morning. It appears that Mr. Heath has a
large number of valuable sheep in a field adjoin-
ing the Kidderminster Road. On Sunday
morning last the man in charge of them visited
the field in the course of his duty, and observed
certain indications which led him to the conclu-
sion that a number ,d cattle had been in the
field during the night. He then counted tha
sheep and lambs, and found that there were 11
sheep and 13 lambs missing. Inquiries were
accordingly made, and it was ascertained that a
, man and boy had been seen to pass along the
' road very early in the morning in charge of
about fifty sheep, nine cows, and a calf. Infor-
mation was given to the police, and Police-con-
stable Morris, Mr. Heath, and his man started
in pursuit. The prisoners were overtaken at
Hasbury, near Halesowen, which they had
reached by unfrequented cross roads. The mis-
sing ewes and lambs were found among the
sheep, of which they were in charg.e, and from
which they were separated, and taken back
home. The prisoners were taken into custody
on a charge of stealing the sheep and lambs.
They asserted that they did not know they had
thew, and that they were never in the field, but
slept on the road all night beside their sheep
and cattle. The prisoners had come from Ten.
bury, and a portion of their drove was to be left
at Halesowen, and the remainder at Smethwick.
—At the Police Court, on Wednesday, before
C. E. Swindell, Esq., John White and Thomas
Griffin, drovers, were charged with stealing 11
sheep and 13 lambs, belonging to Mr. Thomas
Heath, of lverley Farm, on the 21th instant.
John Perry said : 1 nu a shepherd to prosecutor,
and live at Iverley Farm. Saw 11 sheep, and
13 lambs, in my master's field on the g3rd mat,
about eight o'clock in the evening. I counted
them. The field adjoins the turnpike road.
Closed the gate, which fastened inside. Missed
them on the Sunday wonting, about seven
o'clock. Noticed the track of cattle in the field.

There had not been any of my master's cattle
in the field. The fences are very good. The
ewes were marked with a private mark, a piece
of their ears being cut out. Have examined
the sheep that were brought back to our place on
Sunday, and they are the same that were missed.
There was no wool on one of the ewes necks.
Mr. Thomas Heath, the prosecutor, said: I live
at Iverley Farm. Saw the sheep and lambs safe
on the 23rd, about eight o'clock. Last witness's
description of the state of the gate and fences
is accurate. In consequence of a communication
made to me by Perry, I saw Henry Hopkins,
when I passed his house on the Sunday morn-
ing, and he went with me in search of my sheep
and lambs. We traced sheep tracks across
Pedmore Common, through Foxcote, to Lutley
and Hasbury. When we got to Hasbury, I saw
a quantity of sheep and lambs, and mine among
teem. The two prisoners were with them.
Passed them on the road, and could not tell how
many there were of them together. There
might have been about 50 besides my own. The
field they were taken from is in the county of
Worcester. The prisoners were dividing the
sheep with some other parties. I said, " Whose

sheep are those ?" and no one answered me.
They afterwards said they belonged to different
parties. I told them there were some of mine
there. They then began to draw mine out, and
I sent them home. Some of the sheep were
raddle marked. Charles Hill said: I keep an
Inn at the bottom of Iverley Hill. Prisoners
came to my house between seven and eight
o'clock. There was a drove of sheep and cattle
in the road outside the house. My house is be-
tween prosecutor's field, and Stourbridge. They
came towards Stourbridge, in the direction from
Mr. Heath's field. Henry Hopkins said: I keep
an Jun between prosecutor's farm, and Stour-
bridge. It is about a mile from last witness's
house, The field is about half way between the
two houses. On Sunday morning last! saw the
prisoners about a quarter past five o'clock.
They were coming towards my house. There
were some cows, sheep, lambs, and pigs. I
wished the prisoners "Good morning," and
asked White if he had been travelling all night.
He said he had been down in the Park Gate
yard all night. Park Gate is three miles from ,
my house. I noticed that some of the sheep
looked very fresh. I asked him if he had been
to Bewdley fair, and he said he had come from
Tenbury. One of the lambs ran back, and the
younger prisoner ran after it, with a dog. They
left me, and went in the direction of Stour-
bridge. I accompanied prosecutor in his search
for the sheep, and found them at Hasbury. The
prisoner Griffin was standing in the road with
some cows. Three men were helping White to
separate the sheep. A man named Pearman
was helping. They turned the sheep through
a gate. Mr. Heath spoke to them several times,
hut no one answered him. Pearinan said if any-
thing was wrong, he would send a man back
with the sheep ; but prosecutor would not let
him. Hasbury is about six miles from Heath's

field. Police-constable Morris said: From infor-
mation received I apprehended the prkoners et
Hasbury, on the 94th Mat, end charged them
with stealing 11 ewes and 18 lambs, the property
of Mr. Thomas Heath. They were both to-
gether when I charged them. White said he
had not stolen any sheep or lambs from any one;
but if there were any there that belonged to
anybody they could have them by fetching them.
The sheep belonged to different parties. There
were 19 going to Smethwick, and the others
were to be divided amongst the butchers in
Halesowen. He had been to Tenbury, and on
coming back stopped at Newnham Bridge; then
came on to Bewdley, and from thence to Park
Gate, where he stopped and had s ,me refresh-
ments. He lay down at Iverley Hill, and left
there h,tween three and four o'clock on the Sun-
lay zmirtlinz. Griffin took care of the cattle
whilst he was lyi.ht down. Griffin In ade a simi-
lar statement. Prl,onera did rot make any de-
fence, and the Bench committed them to take
their trial at the next Worcester Sessions.

DRUNK. —At the Police Court, on Wednesday,
before C. E. Swindell, Esq.,Richard Howell was
charged with being drunk and fighting, in New.
street, on the 26th instant. Police-constable
Woodhall proved the case, and defendant was
ordered to pay the costs.
ASSAULTING A WIFE. Samuel Mobberley,
landlord of the Bird-in-Hand, Stamber Mill, was
charged with assaulting Mary Mobberley, his
wife, on the 17th inst. Complainant said she
did not wish to press the case; but merely to
I prevent him repeating the offence. Defendant
was bound over to keep the peace for 12 months
lin one surety of £2O, and. himself in tlO.

- •
RIDING WITFIOUT Ityisis.—At the Petty Sessions, yes-
terday, before R. L. Freer and W. C. Firmstone, Esq..
John Taylor wan charged by Superintendent Freeman
with riding on the shafts of his cart on the 27th instant,
at Wassail Grove, without having reins. Police•constable
Walton proved the case. Pleaded guilty. Otdered to
pay costs, 7s ltd.
CHARGE or THREATENING To KILL. Fanny Wood
Was charged by Hannah Green with threatening to throw
her down a well, and to kill her; and the latter prayed
for sureties of the peace. .Mr. Perry appeared to support
the application. Comolainant said she was the wife of
Jeston Green, of the Lye. Defendant is a neighbour.
On the 22nd instant complainant was in her own house,
when the defendant came to her when in the brewhouse,
and said she did not mind having a ride for her. The
next day defendant came again, and threatened to kill
her. On the 25th defendant threatened to throw her
down a well ; and witness Was afraid she would do her
some injury. Two witnesses named Tandy and Wool-
dridge, gave aorroborative evidence. Defendant denied
the charge of threatening. Ordered to find one surety
in £5, and herself in £5, to keep the peace for six
months.—Emma Newton was then charged with threat-
ening the life of Hannah Green, at the same time. Sir.
Ferry appeared for complainant. Defendant is the
daughter of the above defendant, and used threats at the
same time. The same witnesses were called as in the
above ease. The charge was denied, and after hearing
the evidence, the Bench dismissed the ease.

-, --
AFFILIATION CASE.—William Forrest, of the Lye, WAS
summoned by Harriet Hart to show cause why he should
not support her illegitimate child, which she alleged ha
as the father of. Defendant did not appear. Evidence
was given to support the ease, and the Bench made an
order for him to pay 2s Gd per week, and costs.
ASSAULT AT CHADLEY.—George Homer was charged
by Esther Cartwright with assaulting her on the 23rd
inst. Complainant, an old woman, whose face was much
bruised, said the defendant came to her house and beat
her very badly. Did not give him any provocation. The
Bench remarked that it was a most unprovoked assault
by a strong young man against an old woman, and fined
him 20s and costs ; in default one month's imprisonment
with hard labour.

AN ABSCONDING APPRENTICE—MichaeI Kilcoyne was
summoned by John Hill for absenting himself from his
work, on the 19th instant, without any lawful excuse.
Complainant said the defendant was apprenticed to him
as a cordwitiner, for the last three year,. Witness gave
him a holiday on Easter Monday. He has not been to
work since. Ile hall often left home before, and witness
had forgiven him several times ; and he had hems sen•
teured to 14 days' imprisonment for a similar offence.
Defendmt did not appear, and he was sentenced to one
month's imprisonment.
CHARGE Aosinar POLICE-OFFICER.—George Hill, •
Police.otlicer, was charged by Superintendent Freeman,
that he being a Police•otficer for the County of Worces-
ter. did absent himself from duty on the 2.lnd instant,
without resigning, or giving one calendar mouth's notice.
Superintendent treeman proved that defendant absented
himself from duty on the above date, without giving the
requisite notice; that he reported the case to the Chief
Constable, who directed him to take nut a warrant for
his apprehension. He hod reported the defendant for a
very serious offence, nnl O. doubt that was the cauo• of
defendant absenting In imelf. Defendant pleaded guilty.
and said he was very s wry. He had been over-persuaded
by several persons, rod a Police-offieer amongst the
. number. He hoped the Bench weold put a small floe
, upon him, anti bs as lenient as possible. Fined Ills and
costs ; in default One montli's hard labour.