The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1870-07-23 00:00:00

CRADLEY.

CAUGHT AT LAST—Within the last twelve months or
at, there have been several robberies of passengers' lug-
gage, &c., from Cradley Station. On Sunday last a theft
was detected in a someu hat singular manner. On Sat-
urday night last, a girl named Mobberley, belonging to
Quarry Bank, left her situation in Birmingham, and
came to Übe Cradley Station by the train which arrives
at 8.1. She had her box of clothes with her, which she
left at the station, having first called the officials' atten-
tion to the fact. On returning about half-past eleven for
the box, she found that it had been broken, and the
greater part of her clothing stolen. An examination
was made of the articles left, and while this was being
done part of the blade of a knife was found in the box, a
knife having evidently been used to force open the Int.
The broken blade was recognised as part of a knife be-
longing to a yardsman named George Cartwright,
employed at the station. The police were informed of
the circumstance, and on the prisoner's house, at the
Lye, being searched at an early hour on Sunday morn-
ing, tile stolen articles were found secreted between a
mattress and bed, and also underneath the stairs. Cart-
wright, has been in the company's service some time,
and has hitherto borne an irreproachable character.—At
the Old Hill Petty Sessions, on Wednesday last, before
Messrs. F. AV. G. Barrs and E. Moore, George Cart-
wright, a yardsman, in the employ of the Great Western
Railway Company, was charged with feloniously stealing
three dresses and other articles, from a box at Cradley
Station, on the 16th last, belonging to Sarah Ann Mob.
berley. Inspector Ledbrook watched the ease for the
company. George James said : lam a signalman on the
Stourbrldge Extension Railway, and stationed at Cradley
Station. Know the prisoner, Cartwright. He was ern-
ployed by the Company and etationed at Cradley as a
yardsman. A train came into Cradley at 8.1 p.m., from
Birmingham, and prosecutrix came with it. Saw the
box on the platform after the train had gone. Prosecu.
trtx came to me at 20 minutes to twelve o'clock at night,
and &eked me for her box. Went with her to fetch it.
It was still on the platform. I found that the cord had
beeu cut, and the box unfastened. The catch of the lock
had been forced off the box. The box was opened by
prosecutrix's brother. Found a piece of a knife close
to the box. Saw prisoner on the platform about eleven
o'clock. It is his duty to be on duty all night. Looked
to see ii the prisoner was there, but could not find him.
Saw him the next morning in custody. Sarah Ann Mob.
berley. the prosectitrix. said: I live at Merry Hill. On
the 113th I came from Birmingham by the train leaving
there at 7.30 p.m.. and arrived at Cradley at 8.4 p.m.
l'he box produced is my property. It was locked and
corded round. The two dresses, three dress bodies, a
pair of stays, and a skirt were in it when I left it at the
station, whilst I went to fetch my brother. It was safe
when I left it. Have the key in my own possession. Did
not see the prisoner. Asked one of the men at the sta.
tnai to take charge of it for me, and he said he would.
Returned to the station with my brother about twelve
o'clock, and then found that the cord had been cut and
the box opened. The articles are worth about £2 10s.
Police.sergeaut Pawner said: I apprehended prisoner
about half-past six on Sunday morning last. Went to
his house in company with two officers, and there appro.
heuded film. lie lives at Hayes Lane, near Cradle
Mill. On searching his noose I found the two dresses,
three dress bodies, and one pair of stays between the
'tied and mattress in the bedroom. Found the skirt on
the stairs. Charged the prisoner with stealing them
from the railway etation, tue night previous. He said,
Yes, I did it," and aftenvards said "this is through
having drink." Be is a married man, and has one child.
Received the blade of a knife at the railway station from
the station master, Mr. Higgs. Witness James was pre.
sent at the time. Showed it to prisoner, and he said it
was part of the blade of his knife, and the knife he had
thrown in the Stour. Prisoner, on being charged, said
"1 am very sorry I did it; I will never do so any more.
Prisoner was committed to take his trial at the next
Stafford Assizes.