The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1876-01-08 00:00:00

BRIERLEY RILL.

DRUNKENNESS.-At the Police Court, on Monday last,
before Messrs. H. 0 Firmstoee and H. hall, Henry
Bucknall was charged with being drunk and ribtous, at
High-street, Quarry Bank, on the 28th ult.—Police-con-
stable Godly proved the case, and defendant, who pleaded
guilty, was lined is and costs.—Thomas Smith was
charged with being drunk and riotous at High-street,
Quarry Bank, on the 29th ult. Police-constable Godly
proved the case, and defendant was fined Is and costs.—
John Rudd was charged with a similar offence, at Kinver.
Police-sergeant Stevenson proved the case, and defend-
ant, who did not appeisr, was fined lOs and costs; in de-
fault 14 days.
BREAKING A WINDOW.-A. girl named Sarah Woodliall,
was charged with unlawfully and maliciously breaking a
window, the property of William Smith, on the 27th ult,
doing damage to the amount of 6s. Elizabeth Smith, wife
of complainant, said she saw defendant break the win-
dow by throwing stones and sludge at it. The damage
done amounted to 6s. Defendant said she was passing
by complainant's house. A boy threw-a stone at her,
and the stone missed her and broke the window. Lizzie
Davis, twelve years of age, corroborated defendant The
latter was ordered to pay Os, the damage, .

CHARGE or DAMAGING it DOOR. Ernest Steel of
Coalbournbrook, was charged with damaging a door and
lock, the property of Thomas Taylor, pump maker, Coal-
bournbrook, on the 25th ult, doing damage to the amount
of 26.—Mr. Addison appeared for complainant, and Mr.
Holberton defended.—Complainant said he was a well-
sinker, residing at Coalbournbrook. On Christmas
morning he was watching at his bedroom window about
half-past two o'clock. Whilst he was watching he saw the
defendant and ten others running backwards end forwards
by his house. He saw defendant take the bricks from
the wall, and throw them at the door bursting it open.
The bolt and lock were broken, and the hinge knocked
off. The three bricks were stuck together. He was quite
sure defendant was the person that threw the bricks.—
Sarah Taylor, daughter of complainant, said she was at
the window watching at half-past two o'clock on Christ-
mas morning. She saw ten persons, amongst them the
defendant, come round by their house, and defendant
took three bricks from the wall and threw them at the
door, bursting it open. She distinctly saw defendant by
the light of two lamps in front of the house.—Mr. Hol-
berton, in defence, contended that his °Rent had not
done the damage. Defendant and his companions were
out carol singing that night, and he should call a number
of witnesses to prove that defendant did not commit the
offence.—Jonathan Compson said he was carol singing
with defendant and several others, on the morning in
question. They started from Wordsley school at two
o'clock, and arrived by comp!ainant's house about half-
past two o'clock They sang a carol outside the house of
defendant's mother. The house is next door to complain-
ant's. No bricks were thrown by defendant, nor any of
the rest. Defendant was with them the whole of the time
—John Aston, John Hack, Bridge, Hill, and three
others, all stated that defendant was with them the whole
of the time, and he did not pick up or throw any bricks.
—After hearing their evidence, the Bench retired for
some time, and on returning into Court, Mr. Firmstone
said he should like to re-call Taylor and his daughter, and
ask them a few questions.—Sarah Taylor, re-called, said
she recollected seeing all defendant's witnesses there
when defendant threw the bricks. Some or them went
away in twos and threes in the direction of Wordsley,
and some of them went up the New-road.—Complainant
was re-called, and he said that after the bricks were
thrown the whole of the persons went round the corner
in the direction of Wollaston. None of them went to-
wards Wordsley, or the New-road.—The Bench again
retired, and on returning, Mr. Firmetone said they had ,
given the case their most earnest consideration, and they
felt it was a case of very considerable importance. Wil-
ful and deliberate perjury had been committed on one
side or ,the other. It was evident that the damage had
been done to the door by bricks being thrown against it.
They did not think that either Taylor or .hie daughter
had been guilty of deliberate perjury. They (the Bench)
believed that the Taylors saw some one acting as they had
described, but as there was a doubt in their minds , a to
whether defendant was that person or not, they shoald
give him the benefit of that doubt. They had no reason
to suppose that the young men who had given evidence
on , behalf of the defendant, had committed perjury.
There was a possibility that the Taylors had been
mistaken in the person who absolutely inflicted the dam-
age on the door, and that being the case they should dis-
miss the defendant.
CHARGE oF ASsAULTING THE POLICE.—At the Police
Court, on Thursday before Mr. I. Spooner, stipendiary,
Alfred Williams was charged with assail ting police-con-
stable Payne, on the 4th, inst. Mr. Spooner. said de-
fendant had already bsen in gaol to nights, and he
should now discharge him.
ASSAULTING A BOL—Snnoll Tolly fined 100 and costs
for assaulting William Bellison on the let lust, in Brier.
icy Hill.
CAUTION TO PUBLICANS.—Thomas Woodhouse, landlord
of the Travellers Rest, Brierley Hill, was charged with
permitting drunkenness in his hou,se,[on.the,27tla ult, Mr
c:ulow defended.—After hearing ,the evidence Mr.
Spooner lined defendant £2 and costs.
WOE NS QUARRELS .—lsabella Westwood was charged
with assaulting Mary Ann Hill, at Shepherd Street,
Quarry Bank on the let just, and was fined 10s and costs;
in default 21 days.