The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1873-02-01 00:00:00

OLD HILL.

OENTROCrING THE HIGH% AY.—At the Petty Session,
held on Wednesday, before Messrs. F. W. G. Bairs, and
N. Hingley, Stephen St,pliens, of Blackheath, was
charged by Superintendent Mille with causing an ob•
etruction in the turnpike road, on the 9th December.
William Whitehouse, surveyor of the Ittwley Board.
proved that defendant with a number of others were
obstructing the road by pigeon•flying. He was on his
pony and could not pass for a time, the men making
hideous noise. Defendant was timekeeper. Fined 23
61 and costs.

ASSAULTING A BM—William Powell, Was charged by
William Thomas Andrews, with assaulting him on the
25th inst. Mr. Addison appeared for complainant, who
said, that on the above date, he met the defendant who
had a whip in his hand. and struck him a violent blow
across the thigh and marked him. Did net say anything
ti provoke him, but threw a stone at him after he was
struck. • Abraham Hill, a youth, gave corroborative
evidence and said, that defendant struck him twice with
a whip previous. William Andrews, father of the corn.
plaint proved the injuries received from the defendant.
Fined Is. and costs; in default 7 day.. . _ _

APSAIILT C4SE.— Thomas Brooks, was charged by
Sarah l'aylor, with assaulting her on the 20th inst. Mr.
Addison appeared for the complainant. And from her
evidence it appeared that she is lame, and was re-
peatedly assaulted by boss throwing stones et her, and
had been hit several times. On the above date, defen-
dant threw snow-balls at her, she did not wish to press
the case, but wanted to put a stop to it. Defendant had
threatened her several times. The Bench considered it
a cowardly assault, and lined him 2s 61 and Costa; in
default 14 days.
VIOLENT issarrtr.—Warriek Plant,of Blackheath, was
charged by Thomas Priest with assaulting him on the
23rd inst. Complainant said he met the defendant on
the above date and was in a cart, defendant tried to pull
him out of the cart and asked him if he should like to
die, he told defendant he should not. When defendant
threatened to kill him, and threw stones at him, and
afterwards struck him. Joseph Baker, and Elizabeth
Priest, gave corroborative evidence, and said that defen-
dant tried several times to pull Priest out of the cart.
The defence was that they fought for three quarters of a
hour. The police said that complainant was in a fright-
ful state both eyee black, and his head cat and kicked.
And that complainant had suffered from ill-health pre.
viously. Fined 20s and costs; ia default one month hard
labour.

_
Casnon OF Tanana, —James Handley, Thomas
Ferryman, John Butler, Thomas Parker, Samuel
Barnsley, William Bent,and George Wood, were severally
chained with being on certain enclosed land, belonging
to Isaac Downing, on the 21st inet, in the parish of
Rowley Regis, on trespass in the day time in search of
game. Mr. Addison defended. Julia. Payne, parish-
constable, said that Henley was not in the field. and he
Was dissharged. Defendantsliad four dogs with thtim
in a field belonging to Mr. Downing, the dogs were run.
ing a bare. • But the hate got away. He knew all the
defendants well and they hat larcher dogs with them,
he spoke to Butler and Ferryman, and afterwards pursued
them in company with the bandff and gardener. Henley
Wee carrying a gun. Cross-examined: Waj within tan

of them know all the defendants, they work
yards
They were in pursuit of game and startea
hare several times. The defence wu that the defend.,
had no doge, there might have been a hare, but td
were not in pursuit of game, but merely went macron the
field for • short cut. The men were respectable and well
conducted. and he thought the payment of costs would
be sufficient. The Bench said that would not be sufficient,
and each of the defendants were fined 10s. and outs.
. The Bench remarked that they hoped it would be a
warning to them, as they might have been fined £5.
CZABOL 07 TARZATIININO.—Thonau Hall, and James
Price, of Long Lane. were charged with using threaten-
' tug laeguage to Jane Hadley, on the 25th. Complais-
ant proved that defendant threatened to kill her, and
' used filthy and violent language to her without any pro-
vocation. Each of the defendants were ordered to find
• surety each of £5, and themselves in £lO to keep the
peace for six months.
SINGULAIR CHARCIK.—Thomas Westwood, was charged
with feloniously stealing on the 18th December, • barrel
of ale, the property of Thomas Axhfield. Mr. Addison
defended. Complainant said the dofendant worked for
him occasionally, and on the above date sent the prisoner
to the Salt Stores Birmingham. for some ale, defendant
delivered to him two hogshead of ale, and he defendant
kept one 18 gallons of ale for himself. He had since
been charged with the ale, and produced an invoice. Mr.
Addison for the defence, admitted that defendant kept
the ale, and said that defendant had worked for five
years, and that complainant owed him sonde wages. On
cross-examination. complainant admitted that defendant
had asked him about a barrel of ale, but told him that
he had not sufficient to supply his own customers. And
did not tell him he could have the 18 gallons of ale.
Could not say defendant intended to steal the ale. John
Hobson, store-keeger, to Salt and Co. brewers, Birming-
ham, knew Westwood who had been in the habit of
.fetching ale for Ashfield, and came to the stoves on the
18th December, and asked for two hogshead and one
kilderkfn. The two hogshead for complainant, and the
18 gallons for himself. After hearing this evidence, the
Bench dismissed the case.