The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1876-09-16 00:00:00

OLD HILL.

COAL STEALING.—At the Police Court, on Wednes-
day, before Messrs. W. Bassano and H. Howard,
Elizabeth Siviter and Elizabeth Hughes were charged
with stealing a quantity of coal, on the 7th hut, the
property of the Waterloo Colliery Company.—The case
was withdrawn on payment of 61 each and costs.
CHARGED WITH PERMITTING DRUNKS NNESS.—Enoch
Westwood, landlord of the Engine Inn, Black Wagon
Street, Old Hill, was charged by Superintendent
Woollaston, for permitting drunkenness in his house on
the 2nd inst.—tir; Stokes defended,—lnspector Price
said he visited defendant's house at ten o'clock and
found a man on the premises drunk, who was fined at
the court last week.—Defendant was further charged
with permitting gambling in Lis house on tie same
date.—Samuel tVilietts said he was in defendant's house
and tossed a great many times for ale. Defendant's
daughter was present and saw the tossing going on.
Cross-examined : Witness admitted he had been before
the court sixteen or seventeen times. He went to the
defendant's house about five o'clock and got drunk
there.—Richard Siviter said he went into the defend-
ant's house about halt-past eight o'clock and they had
seven pints of ale together. There WAS no tossing
going on.—Eli Beyley said there was no tossing going
on in the house. Willett' was not drunk until he was
charged with stealing a shilling and then he acted to be
drunk.—Mr. Stokes addressed the Bench for the defence,
and said it had not been proved that any tossing was
going on and that was disposed of. As regards the
drunkenness it had been proved that the landlord was
not present and did not permit the drunkenness.
Although Willett' had been fined for being drunk it had
been proved that defendant was not drank until he was
sharged with stealing a shilling and thou he feigned
drunkenness.—lnspector Prise was re-called, and said
Wiiletta was helplessly drunk. Police-constable
Silvister corroborated.—The Bench considered the
charge of permitting drunkenness proved, and fined de-
fendant £2 and costs.
A WIFE BEATER.—William Baker was charged with
assaulting his wife Photbe Baker, Complainant's eyes
were both blackened.—Mr. Stokes said he appeared for
both of them, and complainant did not wish to press the
case as the defendant had already been in Stafford gaol
a week.—The defendant was cautioned and ordered to
find two sureties in £lO, and himself in £2O to keep the
peace for six months.
ASSAULTING THE PoLlCll.—EliZabeth Solemn, Hannah
Holcroft, and James Underwood were charged with un-
lawfully assaulting Police-constable Himan, on the 2nd
inst, with intent to do him bodily bairn—Mr. Addison
appeared to prosecute, and Mr. Hayes defended Under-
wood.—Complainant said he was stationed at Blackheath
on the 2nd lust, and he was on duty at Perry's Lake at
twelve o'clock at night. As he was passing Levett's
public-house he saw the defendants and said" Good
night' and they went on.ille stopped a little distance from
them and while standing there a man came up to him
named Thomas Holcroft, who has decamped. Under-
wood came up and he called upon him to assist him,
and while he was struggling with Holcroft. Underwood
said "Don't kill him." At that time time he (witness)
was topmost and Underwood pulled him off the top of
Holeroft and kicked him on the left side. Holcroft then
got on the top of him and the two female prisoners
came up and commenced to kick him, one on one side
and one on the other. He heard some one passing and
called him to his assistance; The man's name was Baker
and he came and assisted him. He closed again with
Underwood and the two females caught hold of his
whiskers and pulled a handful of hair each off his face.
Baker was there at the time and he (witness) then struck
one of the females with his staff. At that time some
one caught him by the legs and threw him down.
Elizabeth Holcroft took his staff from him and he has
not seen it since, and he caught hold of her brother
when Elizabeth cried out for a knife and said "Cut the
—'s hand off." The brother said "Cut his throat" and
he has been very ill ever since. He vomited a good
deal of blJod and was unfit for duty and still under the
d?ctor's hanq. There were seven or eight persons on
him at one time. Cross-examined: He was quite sure
Underwood was the man who assaulted him.—Mr. Hayes
said no doubt a gross assault had been committed
upon the officer, but he should prove an alibi.—Police-
constable Wickstead, stationed at Rowley, said he had a
conversation with Underwood, who said there had been
some enquiries respecting him about that affair at
Peery'. Lake, and he told him he knew nothing *bout it
and said he was not there, but found some of the money
to send Holcroft away.—lsaac Baker, a batty collier,
residing at Portway, said on the 2nd Lust, as he was on
his way borne about twelve o'clock at Died, when near
Perry's Lake he heard • distubanee and Human the
policeman Galling out for assitsace, and be went up and
saw Holcroft there, also some females, who palled some
whiskers off the complainant's face. He did not know
who they, were and saw the officer badly kicked and
heard some one call out for a knife: The officer was
brutally assaulted, but he did not see any of the defend-
ant's there.—Superintendent Woollaston said he charged
the three defendants with unlawfully wounding Police-
constable Himan:and told them whatever they said would
be taken down and might be given in evidence 'gains
them Underwood said "I was not there." Elaanaht
sad Elizabeth Holcroft said " We were there but did
not do anything; would sooner assist the policeman than
our brother.—Thomas Standish, surgeon, said he was
Galled in to see the defendant on the 4th inst, and found
him in bed. He examined him and found him in great
pain and his body was completely covered with bruises.
He complained of great pain in the chest and vomited
a good deal of blood, and he was so seriously ill that he
hadto keep his bed and will be unfit for duty for some
time. Kicking would be likely to produce the injuries.
—Mr. Hayes addressed tho Bench for Underwood, and
said he should call six witnesses to prove an alibi.—
After hearing the evidence of Edward Hill and William
Hollis the charge was dismissed against Underwood.—
Mr. Hayes said he had five more witnesses if necessary.
—Elizabeth Holcroft was sentenced to three month's
hard labour and Hannah Holcroft to two months.