The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1873-07-26 00:00:00

lIALESOWEN.

STEALING COPPRR Al lIALEBOWEN.—At the Worcester
Assizes, on Beturbridge, before Mr. Joshes Denman,
James Jordan c 29), boatman, was charged with atealing
1 cwt 2Ulbs of copper, on the Ist of April, at Oldbury,
the property of the London and North-Western Railway
Company. Mr. Amphlett appeared for the prosecution,
and Mr. Underhill for the defence. On the 31st of
March a person named David Saddler was in the
employ of Mr. Bagnall, as boatman. On the list of
March he loaded his boat at Spon Lane basin with
quantity of ingots of copper numbering upwards of
1,000. About two days after the boat arrived at its
destination, which was not far from Spam Lane Basin,
six ingots were stolen. The prisoner was subsequently
seen in the vicinity with a basket. On being asked
what it contained, the prisoner threw the basket down
and ran away. In the basket were found two ignota of
copper and some cloths. When charged, the prisoner
said, "It sail right,l did.' • Mr. Underhill addressed the
jury on behalf of the prisoner. The jury found the
prisoner guilty, and he was sentenced to kix months
hard labour.
PLEADED GUILTY.—EDIMA Ball (19), servant, to steal-
ing a shawl and a waistcoat on the 12th of June, at Si.
John's Worcester, the property of James Stubbs; also
to obtaining, by means of false pretences, two pairs of
boots, the property of George and Win. Morton, on the
28th of April, at St. Swithiu's, Sentenced to six
months' hard labour.
ACCIDENT.—On Monday, as a man named William
Perks, of Frankley, eras returning from Frnkley Hills
with his horse and trap, the horse bolted and Mr. Perks
was thrown out of the trap, receiving severe scalp
wounds. He is progressing favourably.
CHARGE or ASSAULT.—At the Police Court, On Tues-
day, before Major Smith, Meatus. N. Gem end J.
Watson, James Clarke, publican, Beech Lanes, was
charged with assaulting Sarah 'Thompson. Our readers
will recollect that this ease was adjirureed a fortnight
ago, to euable complaisant to bring further evidence as
to the assault been commuted. Alter hearing the testi-
merry of a girl named Betsy Clarke, the Bench dis-
missed the case and ordered each party to pay their own
et,CS.
OBSTRUCTING iiiie 111GIIRAY.— Richard Fildesley,
greengrocer, was charged with having on the 17th, un-
lawfully obstructed the free passage of the highway by
leaving us stall in the red. Defendant said be was
away from home or it would not have occurred. P.S
I !ouch said defendant's stall which was 4 feet wide and
about 10 feet long, was left is the street cutside defen-
dant'e house all night and was an obstruction. Ordered
ts pay costs,—tieurge Orairger was charged with •
similar offence by leaving his cart in the street all
night. P.B Cowell proved the offence, and defendant
was ordered to pay costa—Joseph Coley was charged
with a like offence by allowing his donkey to remain on
the highway. P.O mith proved finding defendant's
donkey on the Bromsgrove Road, on the night of the
17th. Superinteudeut Kemp said the defendant had
been cautioned befoie. Fined 2a 6d and costs-7s 6d.
Caucus or STEALING a HEN.—Alfred Clift and Neri
Hodgetts, two youth-, were charged with stealiug a hen
the property of Thomas White, farmer, of Lutley, on
the 13th limn. Mr. Holberton defended Hodgetts. Prose-
cutor said on the above date about six o'clock, from in- •
formation received he went out of the house to the
place where he saw the hen sitting in the morning sad
it had vanished. He gave a chase to prisoners' and
entail', Chit. He did not see Hodgetts at all, When
witness caught prisoner he said he did not steal the fowl,
it *ars the other lad, he gave it prisoner to carry. A
iittni boy named Josephilierton, 'aid he lived at Two
Oates, Cradley. lie was close to Prooecatufs on the
above date and saw UHL come out of the gate with
the hen in his possession. He went and informed Mr.
White. lie saw Hudgetta there. He was in company
with the other prisoner and they both ran away. Samuel
White, sou of prosecutor, said from what someone told
him he went out of the house. He saw the two prisoners
and ran after them. He saw Clift drop the hen from
under his coat. Superintendent Kemp said at eight
o'clock on the night of the 13th, he received the prisoner
Clift from the custody of Thomas Slate. When he
told prisoner the charge against him he did not make
any reply. Mr. Holherton, for the defence, submitted
there was no case against Hodgetta. He was not seen
with the hen, he did not have a in his possession, nor
was he with the other prisoner, lie had hitherto borne
an excellent character. He rain Ilinhertoni should call
witnesses as to character, aud after hearing the evidence
he hoped the Bench would dismiss the eats against his
client. A man named Bloomer gave prisoner a good
character. P.O Smith was called, awl said from informa-
tion received he apprehended the prisoner liodgetts on
Sunday night, at his residence and charged him with
atealing a lies the property of Mr. White. Prisoner
*aid he knew nothing about it. Whilst uu the way to
toe station prisoner said he knew (Tat was going to
steal the hen. He sent sin' him but lie did not take
the hen from the nest nor did he carry it. 'Abe 'Steen
said liodgetta had had a very aarruvr eareapo this time
and discharged his with a caution. OVA was sentenced
to 21 days' bard labour.