The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-08-02 00:00:00

OLD HILL.

ASSAULTS.—At the Police Court, on Wednesday,
before Messrs. W. Bassano and B. Hingfley, Samuel
Sturman, saddler Cradley Heath, was charged with
assaulting Thomas Horton on the 13th ult, at the
Five Ways, Cradley Heath. Defendant said that
they had a fair stand up fight. Complainant said
that the defendant got his jacket off and struck him
several times and he only struck in self defence.
Complainant then called a witness who said that he
was with him on the Five Ways and saw the defend-
ant sttike him several times. Defendant was fined
2s 6d. and costs.—George Eldershaw was charged
with assaulting Samuel Locock on the 19th ult, at
the Five Ways Cradley Heath. 'Defendant said that
complainant struck him first and knocked him
down. Mr. Hayes appeared for the complainant,
who said that defendant struck him several time,
making his lip b:eed. and that he did not strile
defendant again. Samuel Billiugham was call:
and said he was quite sure that Locock did not
strike the defendant at all, but defendant struc
Locock two or three times and made his lip bleed.
Defendant called Charles Cox who said he was on
the Five Ways at the time and was standing by
and saw complainant knock defendant down. He
did not see anything else but walked away as some
one shouted "The policeman's coming." The Bench
said there was not the least doubt but that defend-
ant committed the assault and they should fine him
2s 6d. and costs; in default 7 days.
DR UNKENNESS.—WiI liam Ea,sthope, chainmalt, r,
was charged with being drunk and disorderly in
the highway on the 26th ult. Police-constab e
Johnson said defendant was fighting with a man
named Allport and he was very drunk and using
bad language. Defendant said that he was not
fighting with Allport but that Allport came and
struck him, but he did not strike Allport again.
Fined ss. ant: costs, or 7 days.—Reuben Bagley, of
Old Hill, was charged with being drunk and dis-
orderly in High Street on the 26th ult. Police-
sergeant Cooper proved the case and the defendant
was fined is. and costs,

USING THREATS.—SamueI Grove was charged by
William Milts with using threatening language
towards him on the 19th ult. William Mills 'said
that defendant was the owner of some coal "that
was put on land which he paid rent for. He had
also some fowls which were always in his garden.
He saw the defendant and went up to him and told
him he should not allow it any longer. The de-
fendant then threatened to give him a blow on the
head if he did not go away, and witness went away
as he was afraid of defendant. Defendant denied
using any threats towards complainant. The Bench
said the evidence was not sufficient to convict and
they should dismiss the case.

ASSAULT—Benjamin Grove and Thomas Grove,
were charged with assaulting Alfred Dingle on the
27th ult, at Blackheath. Complainant said he was
coming up Halesowen Street, Blackheath, about
half-past-twelve o'clock on Sunday morning and he
had an accordian with him. He met the defend-
ants who asked him to play a dance tune to which
he replied "I dont play dancing tunes on Sundays."
Benjamin Grove struck him. Mr. Hayes appeared
for the defendants who said that complainant was
drunk and said he would have the--lights out of
them before the night was out. Thomas Rolliuson
said he was going up Halesowen Street on Sunday
morning about half-past-twelve. He heard the
defendants ask complainant to play a dance tune
and heard complainant say he did not play dance
tunes on Sundays and saw the defendants strike
him. Complainant was sober at the time. Hannah
Dingle, complainant's wife, said she was with her
husband going up Halesowen Street, Blackheath,
when they met the defendants who asked her
husband to play a dance tune and he replied he did
not play dance tunes on Sundays, she saw Benjamin
Grove strike her husband. Police-sergeant Cooper
said he was on duty in Blackheath, and saw a crowd,
He went up to see what was the matter and saw the
complainant, who was bleeding. Complainant was
not drunk. Henry Mason said he was in Blackheath
on the 27th and tried to get the complainant to go
home. He took him a little way up the street when
he broke away from him and ran back to the de-
fendants. Witness said if he had gone with him,
there would have been no row. Complainant said
he did not go back on purpose to go to the de feud-
ants again but because he had business. My. Hayes
then said he could prove that Be.rjamin Grove was
in bed at the time mentioned and that he did not
commit the assault. He then called a witness to
that effect who said that the defendant Grove was
in bed at home at the time. The Bench said it was
quite clear that the defendants had committed the
assault and should fine them 2s fid. each and costs.
—Ezra Smith was charged by Eliza Dingle with
assaulting her in Halesowen Street, Blackheath on
the 27th ult. Complaivaut said that defendant
struck her and knocked down. Thomas Robinson
also gave evidence to the same effect. Defendant
2s 6d. and costs.

iIIGRWAY OFFENCE.—Thomas Stevens, of Old
Hill, was charged with allowing his horse to stray
on the highway on the 24th ult. Police-sergeant
Cooper proved the offence. Defendant was ordered
to pay costs.
SHOOTING PIGEONS.—Joseph Hockley was charged
wi h shooting two pigeons the property of John
Rowley. on the 54th ult. The defendant denied
shooting the pigeons. Complainant said he was
coming home on the 24th and saw his pigeons flying
up in the air. As he was very near home he saw
the defendant shoot and saw two pigeons drop. He
went to dtfendant and chatged him with shooting
them to which he replied "If I pay anything you
will have to get it. Defendant then called a witnes.,
who said he heard the report of a gun but could not
see who had it, and it was impossible for complain-
ant to see who fired it. Defendant was fined ss. for
the offence, and ss. for the value of the pigeons.
COIL STEALING.—John Siviter wail, charged with
stealing coat the property of Messrs. Webster and
Co., at Blackheath, on the 26th June. A man
named Ilacket, engine driver, in the employ ( f
the complainants said he saw the defendant with a
lump of coal on his head. The value of the coal
was 3d. Defendant pleaded guilty and was c,,m-
mitted for 14 days.
KEEPING A DOG WrTHOTIT A LICENSE.--ThOMUS
Stevens was charged by Police-sergeant Cooper
with keeping a dog without a license. Police-con-
stable Sylveare said he saw defendant coming up
the Five Ways with a dog. He followed the de-
fendant into his house and asked him if it was his
dog, to which he replied that it was. He then
asked him for a license. Defendant said he had
not got one as the dog was not old enough. Samuel
Stevens, defendant's son said it was his dog and it
was not six months old. He said his father never
kept a dog. Defendant was fined is. and costs.

HALESOWEN.
A WIFE BEATER.—At the Police Court, held on
Tuesday last, before Messrs. Gem, Phillips, and
Gibbons, Thomas Plant was charged by his wife,
Ann Plant, with assaulting her on the Ist ult. The
assault complained of was that defendant struck her
several times. Defendant denied the assault but the
Bench considered it proved arnd fined defendant los
and costs; in default 28 days hard labour.
ASSAULT CASE. —David Slater was charged with
aisaulting Ann Marks, on the 2nd ult. Compla:nant
said that the defendant struck her on the eye. A
witness was called to corroborate, and defendant was
fined is and costs.
CHARGE OF AGGRAVATED ASSAULT.—}larry Wright
was charged with assaulting Eliza Bordicott, on the
17th ult. Complainant said that the defendant struck
her, knocked her down, and while down kicked her.
She got up, and the defendant again struck her a
blow on the mouth. A witness was called and
corYoborated co,nplainant. The Magistrates con-
sidered it an aggravated assault, and fined defendant
20s and costs: in default 28 days.
CHARGE OF STEALING IRON.—Enoch Homer, nail-
maker, was charged with stealing a quantity of
nailiron, on the 24th ult., the property of Sarnu-I
Price, nailmast:r. Mr. W. S. Hayes appeared to
prosecute. Proiecutor said that he served a quan ity
of iron out to several persons to be worked into
horsenails. Prisoner had been in the habit of work-
ing kr c He did not let him have any
iron, but missed a quantity of nails, and found them
in Mr. William's shop. Williams gave them up. He
knew Vie prisoner's work well. Prisoner had often
taken nails before and witness had firgiven him, but
told him on the last occasion that if he ever took any
more he should prosecute him. Williams gave the
full worth for the nails. John Price, son of prosecu-
_ tor, said he worked for his father, and was at work
till twelve o'clock on tlie,l23rd. He saw aiquantuty