The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-05-24 00:00:00

DIML F,Y,

SHOCKING FATAL/TY ON THS CASTLE GROUNDS.—
On Monday afternoon, a sad accident occured on
the Castle grounds. A boy, named Charles Henry
Perkins, aged 13, of Himley-road, visited the
Castle-hill for the purpose of playing a game at
cricket. The deceased hung his cap on a tree,
and, on going to reach it, he fell down a ravine,
fracturing his skull, and also injuring himself
inwardly. He expired on Tuesday afternoon at the
Guest Hospital.
SERIOUS CHARGES AGAINST A POLICEMAN.—OR
Monday, at the Police Court, before Messrs. Coeh -
rang and James Fisher, Police-constable R. Hitch-
ings, a member of the Dudley force, was charged
on remand with unlawfully inflicting grevious
bodily harm upon George Bateman End Keturali
Ann Bateman, his wife, of Netherton. Mr. Stokes
prosecuted, and Mr. Shakespeare defended. Col
Carmichael, the chief constable of the county, was
present during the hearing.—Keturah Bateman,
the wife, said that she and her husband left Deakin's
public-house, at Primrose Hill, on the night of the
28th April, and the defendant came out of the
house. Witness's husbanulb said, "This monkey is
following me; he's got his knife into me." Direct-
ly afterwards defendant struck her husband on the
head and knocked him down. There were two
blows, and before the officer could strike a third
she ran in, and 'Etchings hit her on the arm, She
thought it was broken. Defendant threw her
down, fell upon her, and struck her on the back.
When he rose he went to her husband, who was
insensible, and struck him again. Her husband
was taken to the Guest Hospital. In cross-examin-
ation, witness said her husband had been fined
more than once for assault, and had been sent to
gaol for fourteen days for robbing a prostitute.
Did not know of her husband's unruly conduct in
Deakin's public-house. When outside she did ask
the officer not to interfere with her husband, and
she would take him home. Bateman was "fresh,"
and she was afraid he would get into trouble with
Hitchings. Afterwards the men met in the middle
of the road, and she would not swear that her
husband did not strike "Etchings on the chin. Her
husband put himself into fighting attitude, and
then the -officer struck him.—Mrs. Donser said she
saw Bateman and defendant leave Deakin's house,
and heard Bateman challenge the latter to lock him
up, adding that he had treated the officer all the
afternoon. Directly afterwards Hit chings pulled
out his staff and struck Batman one blow. In
cross-examination, this witness contradicted Mrs.
Bateman in several particulat s.—Mr. Goulder
house surgeon, said Bateman had three small scalp
wounds on the head. Cross•examined : Had
witness seen him on his admission he should not
have admitted him, for the wounds were not serious.
By Mr. Stokes: Why was he kept there two or
three days? Witness: Because I thought ha was
suffering from drink, and was best for hisphysical
health.—Jeremiah HoopFr, labourer, stated that he
saw Hitchings strike Bateman twice on the head.—
James Bonser, blacksmith, gave similar evidence.
Mr. J. O'Dowd, surgeon, said Mrs. Bateman's arm
was not broken. Another surgeon had put splints
on, but witness removed one because they ‘‘ ere
too tight.—Mr. Barradale (clerk) said there was no
wound on Mrs. Bateman, and the charge of inflict-
ing bodily harm could not be sustained.—Mr. W.
H. Meredith gave evidence, showing that the man
was not much hurt, and the woman's arm was pat
in splints for fear that it was broken.—Mr.:Barradale
said the evidence brought the charges down to
common assault.—Mr. Shakespeare then addressed
the Bench for the defence, and commented on the
discrepancies in the story for the prosecution, and
s iid Bateman ought to have been put in the box.
The policeman received great provocation from the
male complainant, who Was drunk and very abusive.
Mr. Shakespeare then ridiculed the exaggerated.
account of the injuries, and called Mrs. Deakin,
landlady of the Swan Inn, Primrose Hill, wuo said
Bateman acted in the house like a madman, and
used obscene language. "Etchings afterwards
came in, and Bateman cursed him and said he
would out his buttons off. The officer went away
but Bateman followed him, and swore he would
follow him wherever he went. William Wallett
and Elizabeth Sloane gave evidence to show how
Bateman abused the officer, who behaved with good
temper, and advised the man to go home. This
was outside the public-house. At the scene of the
beating Sloane swore that Bateman threatened to
kill the defendant before the latter drew his staff.
—Chief Superintendent Burton said the defendant's
character was a good one, and he was sent into the
outlying district, in which a trustworthy man was
required.—Colonel Carmichael said the man had
been specially recommended Cross-examined :
Mr. Burton said he had received informal complaints
of defendant's hasty temper.— The Bench then
dismissed the cases.—The Court and precincts were
crowded during the hearing, which excited great
interest.