The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1880-06-19 00:00:00

SATURDAY, JUNE 19, 1880

Police. constable Hall, of Birmingham, was next
called, who said that on the day in question he was
stationed at Haleeowen. He was near the Malt
Shovel Inn and saw the complainant there also, whO
was throwing stones at the police. As soon as the
police passed by him he threw a stone which caught
Police-.sergeant Raybould on the head. He (witness)
then hit complainant on the head with his staff and
knocked him down. He (witness) had been kicked
and knocked down and lost his helmet a short time
previous to that. Witness wes afterwards taken
into the Leopard Inn, and was accused by the
people of having struck complainant, and he was
much afraid of them.

Police—constable Baker, also of Birmingham, said
that in consequence of what had been told him, he
went towards the Malt Shovel Inn where there was
a great disturbance, when he saw complainant, who
had got hold of the sergeant by the throat, ad
several men were trying to take his staff off him.
He did not see Hackett struck. _ _

Robert Smart, farmer, of Hawne, said he was
present at Halesowen, on the day of the election,
and saw the disturbance that took place. He saw
the Birmingham policeman strike Hackett, and not
the defendant. _ _ .

William Potter also said that it was the Banning-
ham police that struck complainant. The Bench re-
tired for a short time and on returning into Court,
Mr. Orem said they were agreed that there was no
case against Raybould and dismissed the case.
Superintendent Kemp applied for Cost s which
were allowed.

CHARGE OF INTIMIDATION. - Joseph Willetts,
miner, of Blackheath was charged with intimidation
to wards another miner named Francis Hill also
living at Blackheath.—lt appeared that the com-
plainant and defendant wen?, both employed at the
-Rowley Station Colliery where there has lately been
a strike. Oil the 14th bast complainant was at
Long Lane, where he met the defendant and four
other men. He was asked by a man named West-
wood if ho had been at work, and upon his reply-
ing that he had defendant told him he wished he
was in —, and that he was not half a man, and
pulled his jacket off to fight him. Complain-
ant said he was no fight,a., to which defendant
replied that if all the men were of the same mind
as he was they would kick his heart out. George
Eades, miner, corroborated the statement of com-
plainant. The manager of the colliery informed
the Bench that there bad been a dispute among
the men and he has Ivid to have the police night
and morning to rescue and protect complainant at
the colliery. Defendant pleaded guilty and was
tined 20s and costs; in default 28 days iniprisin-
meat.

ALLEGED FELONY.—George Webster was chnrged
with stealing a ferret the property of Joseph Nook
The case was not proved and the Bench dismissed it.
CHARGs or liarriNG.—Joseph Budge, nailer, of
Islington, was charged with rioting on the 12th of
April. Mr. llayes prosecuted, and Mr. Homer de-
fended. Superintendent Kemp said that he and
Superin' endent Sheppard, of Birmingham, were in
the town, in charge of a number of police, on tae
day of the East Worcestershire Election. Th-re
were a number of disturbances during the (Iy. He
saw the defendant many times during the day from
9 o'clock hi the morning till half-past four in the
afternoon. About ten o'clock in the morning he
saw the defendant who was in a very excited state,
running and shouting about the crowd. About four
o'clock a great disturbance took place near the
church. Shortly after the disturbance was over, the
defendant came to the polling station, where Super-
intendent Sheppard accused him of having taken
Ran in the riot. Defendant was then under the
influence of dr nk, and said he did not know any-
thing about it. He then told defendant he had
noticed his bad conduct the whole of the day, and
also told him if he did not go home he should take
him into custody. Defendant then used badlanguage
and walked off. Police.constab!e Balbury, also iden-
tified the defendant as being one of the men who
were throwing stones at the police. He sa,:v the de-
fendant throw three stones, one of Nhich hit Super.
intendent Sheppard. Police-constable IBaker an I
Pclice-s:,,rgeants Wood, of Birmingham, and ll,ty-
hould of Halesowen, gave similar evidence. Three
wine sea were called of for the defence who said that
the defendant was in the gall Shovel Inn, the time
the stone throwing was going on. Defendant was
counni:ted to take his trial at the Session.

the 12th inst. Police-constable Winfield proved
that defendant was drunk in the Dudley Road,
Tividale. Defendant was find ls. and costs.—
Benjamin Parkes was fined is. and costs, for being
drwik at Scolding Green, Cradley Heath. Police-
constable Wetton proved the case.
WILFUL DAMAGE.— - eorge Swindler, a boy,
was charged with damaging a gate. the property of
David Bridge. Complainant said he saw defend-
ant swinging on a gate which was his property.
Defendant put a brick between the gate and the
post and it wrenched the gate off the hinges. The
damage done amounted to 7s. Defendant was
fined is. and costs for the offence, and was ordered
to pay 10s the damage; with the alternative ei
14 days.
OBSTRUCTION, ••••• Thomas Bennett, Charles
Robe: ts, Joseph Cole, and Joseph Muckier, all of
Blackheath, were charged with obstructing the
footpath in the Market Place, Blackheath, on the
7th inst. Roberts, Cole, and Muckier agreed to
pay costs and the case was withdrawn against them.
Bennett refused to pay costs, and his case stood
adjourned for a week.
COAL STRALING.—Richard Winwood, of Oakham,
was charged with stealing coal from the railway, at
Lye Cross Colliery, the property of the Earl of
Dudley, on the 3rd inst. Th: case was permitted
to be withdrawn, defendant paying costs.