The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1870-10-08 00:00:00

THE LYE.
CHARGE OF WILFUL DAMAGE.

At the Petty Sessions held at Stourbridge, yesterday,
before Major Fletcher and H. 0. Firmatone, Esq., John
Jordan was charged by George Munelow with wilfully
damaging a house, his property, on the 29th July. Mr.
Holberton appeared ler the complainant, and Mr. Burs
bury for the defendant.
Mr. HoMerton said that on the above date the corn.
plainant's property was damaged. The window waa bro•
lien, a wall injured, and a pigstye. He should prove that
Jordan was one of those who committed the damage.
Elijah Robinson, brickmaker, said that on Friday. the
29th July, at three o'clock in the morning, he saw John
Jordan, with three others, come to where he was at work,
and they wanted to leave a bicycle there. Did not see
them at the Peacock, or do any damage.
George Mumslow said he kept the Cross Inn at the
Lye, and the Peacock public.house belonged to him. He
saw the latter on the 29th July, and found a wash cistern
wall was pulled down. The prisy•door hinges were pulled
off, and the door taken down, three squares of gla“
broken, two pigsty° walls pulled down to the ground, the
roof broken in, and the tiles broken; and the damage
done to the back premises are about £2 10s.
Cross•examined : I paid the money for the property
on the 13th August. The sale took place on the 23rd of
June, when I paid a &posit of £3O 10s, and was put into
possession on the 15th August, when I paid £505 for it.
I have not seen Jordan, to make any claim against him.
Mr. Burbury said that in law, poses/40n dues not pass
to the vendor until the deeds are signed and sealed, and
they were not complete until the 15th August, and the
complainant was not in possession, and contended that
the jurisdiction of the Court was ousted.
Witness was further cross•examined as to the amount
of
.dainage done..

Benjamin Smith, Hay Green, miner, said on the 29th
July, early in the morning, he heard a faU of bricks in
the direction of the Peacock. Was in bed at the time.
Shortly after heard another fall, avil then got up to the
window, and saw two or three men palling the roof off
tke pigsty e. Did not see their faces. Could not swear to
them. Saw one of the men pick up a brick, and throw
it through the bar window.
Cross.exarnined: Saw four men. Will not swear to
either of them, as I did not see their faces.

Thomas Jordan, residing at the Lye, said lie had a
communication from the last witness, and went with him
to the premises where the damage win. done. Did not
see Jordan there.

Police-constable Rea anal he saw the defendant be-
tween one and two o'clock in the morning, in company
with several others, at the Seven Stars, at the Lye.
Elijah Cartwright, miner, residing at Stamber Mill,
said he had a conversation with the defendant in July.
I 1 e told him that he had done wrong in bidding against
his uncle. Defendant said he should not mind knocking
the house down, and that it should coat complainant
something before he bad done with it.
Major Fletcher said they considered the complainant
had not made out his case, and should not call upon the
defendant for an answer, and the point of law would not
arise.