The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1868-03-28 00:00:00

THE STOURBRIDGE OBSERVER.

William Henry Dommett was then charged with as.
'salting George William Prescott on the 23rd inst, and
also with wilfully lantaging his nmbrells.
John Middleton said he resided in Kidderminster-
street. and was a horse clipper. On Monday morning he
was walking up the street. and first saw the defendant
walking down the street, opposite tn Moist'!. Freer and
Perry's office. He saw Dommett follow him, and Pu`h
a paper towards him. Defr ndant said, "Don't you insult
me in the street." Defendant also said, "It you have
anythin to serve me with, 111.1”70 it at my office." Mr.
Prescott showed fight, but did not strike him. Com-
plainant followed him down the street, and tried again to
push the paper into his pocket, and defendant pot up boa
fiats again, but did not strike. Complainant called the
defendant a d--- scamp, and Mr. Prescott struck him
with his umbrella.
Crois-examined: I did once summons Mr. Prescott,
bet Wives made up. It was a case something' like this
—(laughter).
Mr. Prescott said : I was going to my office about halt.
past eight, and on my way saw the defendant, who went
into Messrs. Freer and Perry's office. He came out
again, and afterwards produced a paper saying. Here."
I told him if he bad got any paper to some to my office,
and sere it properly. I wallred en a short distance.
Complainant caught hold of me by the collar, and pushed
the paper Into my pocket. After he had thrust it in I
told him t 3 go about his business, as he kept pushing me
against the wall, and called me a d-- scamp ; and I
then struck hiin. Re took hold of the umbrella and
threw it at my feet.
Cross-esainined: I have known defendant try t,o serve
me with papers. I lave been served with a number of
pkiers by a ancrib3r of persons. I have been summens I
tr 1;: twO Ot Dire, uskinlts. but at yoar instigation. First
Puller, then a relieving•officer, llndeewood, and others
have served me with papers. You have long all you
can to annoy me.
Mr. Perry addressed the Bench for the defence. and
contended that he had proved his case; and that Middle-
ton, defendant's Own witness, said that Mr. Prescott
illicit his !vitt:, in a fighting attitude:
The Bench retired to consider their verdict. On re-
turning into Court Mr. Lvttelton said: In the first case
we fins defendant 6.1 and costs ; in default seven days.
The other two cases we dismiss.
Mr. Prescott said Ile hoped the Bench would not order
the costs to be paid.
Mr- Perry said he should ask that costs be allowed to
the witnesses, an Dommett would have to pay them for

their attendanr:e.
The Clerk: They already have received one shilling
with the subro na.
Mr. Prescott : It will be very bard for the Ilench to
order me to pay the costs, and I appeal to the Bench
not to mice the order.
Mr. Perry said the Bench had the power to make the
order: but he would not press it.
Mr. Prescott to the Clerk : What will the costs be °
Mr. King: Fourpound., eight shillings and siapenee.
Mr. Prescott: Four pounds eight shillings and six-
pence I should like to see how the coats are made
out.

The Bench: Mr. Prescott, you have an advocate to
plead for you.
Mr. Maltby : Then I most ask how the costs are made
ant' . .

Mr. Prescott : Yes, and I will see the b,ok.
Mr. ging : You have no right to viot the hook. Your
advocate ran.
The book was here handed to Mr. Maltby, and Mr.
Prescott producing paper and pencil, said he should take
copy
Mr. King: No, you will not.
The list of costs wag then gone through by the Deputy
Clerk and Mr. Maltby, and reduced to £3 ss.
Mr. Prescott: A nice thing thot, to reduce the costs
from El 8s lid to £3 ss. Give me a receipt, and I will
pop the Money.
Mr. King: We don't give receipts. It is not usual.
Mr. Prescott: Then I shan't pay.
Mr. King: Then sit down; the Court cahnot be inter-
stunted by y
Mr. Peeseott I shall not sit down; neither shall I
pay the money unless you give me a receipt. He was
about to leove the Court when Sup,- iltemlent Freeman
told him he could not leave the Court without paying the
m.mey, uuieoa permitted by the Bench.
Mr. Prescott A very nice thing this. Here seven
witnesses leave been examined clime, And for theconveni-
euce of the Bench were not called again, and I um to
pay aCrem
Mr. Lyttelton . We know nothing about the costs.
Mr. Prescott. Yes you do AI yoU hare the power to
order them not tube p.nid. Mr: King is only a servant.
The Bench : We rein.ce to interfete.
Mr. Prtscott: Then I pay the 4,3 5s under protest.
Give me a receipt.
Mr. King: I tell you it is unusual to give receipts.
Your advocate can see how the costs are made out.
Mr. Piescott then paid the money under protest, saying
Met he would bring au metiers sigairse Om magistrates
and Mr. Kirg.
Mr. Lytteltou : You can do as yea like. We wish id
get rid of you for the present.
Mr. Prescott: Mr. Lyttelton, your conduct has been
anything but creditable.
Mr. King No* Me: Pteseutt, please to move away, as
we want to got on with the business,
&rant Booth to Mr. Premott Go out.
Mr. Prescott :,I shrill not go out. I pay the rates and
help to keep you: ,
Mr. Freeman : I wish yoft geoid be qiiiet, Or else go
out. _

Mr Prescott : I Shall not go out.
Mr. Fr,ernuu: Then keep quiet if you are to stop
hero . . .

Mr. Prescott then left the Court, but before the ruing
returned witk a piece of paper with a receipt stamp uu
It, and asked for tireociti
Mr. King. It is 111111bUEI to give receipti.
Mr. Prese.dt: Then you refu3e 7—As there was no
answer, Mr. Yreseott left the Court saying that he would
soon have his remedy, and make Mr. King pay RIO.
A WIFE BEATER.—William Robin Southall, wan
CIEII god by Sarah Rubin Southall with miatiliing her on
the 2.14 inst. Complainant said that ehe way wife to
the defend:mt. On the above date he beat and kicked
her in a brutal way, defendant hail often beaten her.
Fineel 2a61. and costs in default 11 clays.

COUNTY COURT.
Previous to the commencing a the business nt this
Court, on Wednesday last, Mr. F. Moulin le said : Slime
. . . . _

the last sitting here death h;is deprived the Court of the
services of a gentleman who was a regular practitioner of
the Court. I refer, I need not say, to the late Mr. Tho-
mas Burbury. That gentleman was doubtless better
known to loony now present than to myself. I man,
however, state that he appeared to me in all cases in
which he was engaged to be desirous of doing the best
he could for his clients, and his demeanour was always
quiet, courteous, and respectful. It will be remembered
that but a ler, years since, on the first sitting in this
building, Mr. Burbury, then in health and stringtn,
offered, on the part of himself and others, an address to
myaelf. I, on this occasion, demo it but a simple act of
duty to pay this alight tribute to his inemory.
Ibmsport; v. gmitli.—This was an action to recover
the sum of Li 12, three pounds being for a watch sold,
and El 12s for some chairs. Mr. Maltby appeared for
plaintiff, and Mr. Stokes for defendant. Plaintiff said
that he sold the goods to defendant, and that he had
paid RI 113 a. Defendant refused to pay any mars money,
and complained that the watch was not is good one. A
witness was called who said that he should cell it for £1
180 or £2, but refused to give 15s for it. Mr. Stokes ad•
dressed the Court for the defence, and condmuned the
practice of travelling Jews going round the country sel-
ling their goods to poor people for much larger sums
than they were worth, and called defendant, who said be
had the watch of plaintiff, who warranted it to be a good
one, and said that if defendant did not like it he would
change it. Piaintiff said the watch was £3 lOs but the
bargain was si ruck for £3. Shortly after the watch .
stiipped, and would not work. Ile told plaintiff of it,
who said that he (defendant) could take the watch to
anyone and get it valued. Mr. Hare, watchmaker, of
Dudley, said he examined the watch Whieli had old
works put into a new caaa, and that it was not worth 15s,
selling price. Mr. Smith wait also called, after which
Mr. Maltby replied. The Judge summed up, and gave a
verdict for plaintiff for £1 la.
Illfon v. illalpar.—At the County Court, held on
Thursday loot. before F. Diasdale, Leg , Judge, Richard
Malpas was summoned by John Felton for AN, being a
balance of money lent. Mr. Sall appeared for plaintiff,
and Mr. Clulow for defendant. Mr. Wall said this was
an action to recover £B, being • balance of account for
money lent to the defendant. On January 10111,1859,
plaintiff lent the defendant the sum of 1:18, arid on the
15th August, 1862, defendant paid £lO, leaving a balance
of £B, which was now claimel. The defence was that
defendant hoe ime a banpiupt on tho 27th November,
1869, and that he received his discharge on the 9th of
January 1861. Mr. Wall complained Stoat Ire had not
. . .