The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1872-02-10 00:00:00

EXTENSIVE ROBBERY OF IRON AT

BRIERLEY HILL,

Benjamin Oakley (27), carter, Abraham Oakley (22),
Ihomas Willetts (13), carter, of Olds wiuford, and William
Rid (42), seraparon dealer, Oldswinford, were charged,
on remand, with stealing a quantity of iron, the property
of Mr. W. 0. Foster, of the Brierley Iroriwqrks ; and
William Hill was further charged with having received
the iron knowing it to have been stolen.
Mr. Homfray (of the firm Hoinfray and Holberton)
prosecuted, and Mr. Stokes defendsd the prisoners.
On the application of Mr. Homfraii, the Bench allowed
the charge against the boy Willetts to be withdrawn, as
it would serve the interests of justice that he should give
evidence.

In his opening address, Mr. Homfray said the prosecti.
tor carried on business at Madeley, Shropshire, and at
lirierley, near Brierley Hill. The " pigs" of iron were
brought from Madeley to Bromley, and then boated to
the Brierley Iron Works. For some time pigs had been
missed. :end it appeared that iron had been habitually
secreted at the limekilim of Mr. Hampton, who was
doubt a respectable man. He should be able to prove
that the pigs had been carted away and acid to Mr.
thomas Attwood, vice and anvil maker, of the Lye, and
to Messrs. Arnold and Getting, founders, of Kiddermin•
ster. The pigs made at Madeley were marked " Madeley
t'ourt," in full, and those made at Brierley Hill with a
" B."

Thomas Willett:l, the boy, was the first witness called
lie deposed : I live at Oldswinford, and drive a horse
nod cart for William Hill. I have been in his employ
tor about four or five months. I have been drawing coal
and iron with the cart. It was pig and scrap iron. I
drew the pig iron from Hampton's limekiln. The kilns
are by the canal at Brettell Lane. Benjamin Oakley
helped me to load the pigs. Abraham also helped Inc.
and he loaded the cart himself on the Saturday morning,
that was last Saturday week. Sometimes I have taken
the iron to Mr. Thomas Attwood's, anvil manufacturer,
of the Lye, and the other to Messes. Arnold and Gluing,
ironfounders, Kidderminster. I have been to Attwood's
more than 15 times. I have taken pig iron there, and it
was covered over with • bag. There was no serap with
it. Prisoner Hill told me to take it there. I have taken
three loads le Arnold's at Kidderminster. I took one on
the Thursday and one on the Saturday the week before
last. It is about a fortnight sines I took any to Attwoors.
Benjamin Oakley has a horse. I have bad the horse.
A boy that lives by Benjamin took • load of pig iron with
the home to Attwood'a. I saw anything pees be.
twain prisoners.
Cross-examined: lam prisoner Hill's carter. I have
taken as many as 15 loads from the limekiln'. The
wharf is by the side of the "anal, and not far from the
turnpike road. People go backwards and forwards to
work across the wharf. The wharf ;Ws lower than the
turnpike road. Do not know that any one could see
what was going on in the wharf from the turnpike road.
, fhere was about • ton of pigs at the place at a time.
Sometimes there would be 30 cwt. at the wharf. We
have fetched it away at all times daring the day—some.
times in the morning, and sometimes in the afternoon.
Benjamin Oakley has helped me to load the pigs. Ben-
jamin always loaded himself. Prisoner Hill sometimes
went with me. Abraham loaded the pigs himself on the
Saturday morning. Prisoner Hill deals in iron. When
the iron was taken to Attwood's it was weighed on the
machine, and then tipped up inside the yard. I we. at
lehne when the policeman arrested me. I had just come
in with the cart. I was at Hill's house when I was ap•
prehended. There was no iron in the cart then. I do
nat know whether there was any iron on the premises or
a:,l when I was taken by the police. IWM apprehended
on the Monday. I hod not been that day to the wharf.
I had been taking sonic. breeze I took o load of iron to
Kidderminster. I did not help to load that iron. I have
not been to see the pigs down stairs. I have been in
custody since last Monday. I have been spoken to
whilst I have been in the cell. A gentleman has asked