The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1873-12-06 00:00:00

OLD HILL.

ALLEGED NEGLECT OF WORIC.-At the Police
Court, on Wednesday, before ;Messrs. F. Barre and
N. Bing ley, George Jackson jun., Samuel Heath,
and Samuel Stringer, three boys, were charged with
absenting themselves from the employ of William
Mills, on the 24,th ult, without any lawful excuse,
and complainant claimed 20s from each as compen-
sation. Mr. Stokes defended, and said, to shorten
the case, he would admit that defendants left work.
Complainant said the defendants left their work and
caused the men to play. On cross-examination, wit-
ness admitted that the boys had not been able to
work for some days, in consequence of the men not
having placed the timbers, and that he had not paid
defendants for the loss of time. Mi. Stokes, said if
necessary, he could call the manager to prove that
defendants could not work. Case dismissed.

DRUNK AND REFUSING To QUIT. —Samuel
Stevens, chainmaker, was charged with being drunk
and refusing to quit the Cross Inn, Old Hill, when
requested, on the 29th ult. Defendant was further
charged with wilfully breaking two squares of glass.
Joseph Whitmore, the landlord proved the case, and
said defendant insulted his :WM:. He refused to go,
and broke two panes of glass. Defendant was also
charged by Inspector Price with being drunk and dis-
orderly, on the same date. Police-oonstable Collier
proved the case. Defendant pleaded guilty. Far
refusing to quit, defendant was tined 6s and costs:
or being drunk in the street, he was lined is and
costs; in default 21 days.
ASSAULT Cass.—Samuel Thompsom and William
Smith, two boys, were charged with assaulting David
Mason, on the 24th ult. Complainant said he was
at the Five Ways, about 6 o'clock. As halwas
walking along he saw six lade who 'threw stones at
him. One struck him on the face and cut it open.
The Bench suggested that the case might be settled
out of court. The defendants agreed to give com-
plainant is each, and pay costs, and the case was
withdrawn.

ANOTHER CASE—Samuel CHIIIII4OII was:charged
with assaulting Isaiah Nock, on the 27th ult. Com-
plainant said he was going out of the Bird-in-Hand
public-house, when he met the defendant who struck
him without any provocation. Defendant admitted
the assault. Fined 5s and costs.

ALLEGED RABBIT STEALING.—Timothy Cliff was
charged with stealing one live tame rabbit, on the
3uith ult, the property of Mr. Thomas Standish, sur-
geon, Cradle), Heath. Mr. Addison defended. Pro-
secutor said he last saw the rabbit in question safe on
Sunday. The pen that the rabbit was in was walled
round, but:there was a gate into the garden. He
missed it on Monday morning. He saw the defend-
ant about it, and he said he found it. It was impos-
sible for the rabbit to get out of the pen and garden,
without being taken out. James Passey, groom in
the employ of prosecutor, gave corroborative evi-
dence. Ann Silvestor said she saw the defendant
owning across her garden, lie had a rabbit in his
arms. She asked him whore be got it from, and he
said he found it in her garden. She told him to take
care of it, as there might be some enquiry about it.
Defendant's mother asked witness if she knew to
whom the rabbit belonged. These was no conceal-
ment in the case. Mr. Addison contended that de-
fendant found the rabbit, and that there was no con-
cealment in the ease. Defendant was disbharged
with a caution.

LiRCENY.—SIMIIICI Stringer, all old offender, Wag
charged with stealing three sticks of celery, o* the
22nd just, the property of Mary Ann Johnson. The
case was proved, and prisoner said he should not have
done it if he had not been drunk. There were
several previous convictions proved against the pri-
soner. Superintendent Mills said the prisoner was
under five years police supervision, and he was a
terror to the district. Prisoner was committed to
take his trial at the next Stafford Sessions.
_

A BRUTAL ASSAULT.—WBURIU Cave, engineer,
was charged with assaulting Phcebe Hill, on the 2nd
inst. Complainant said she mat the defendant who
stopped her, struck her, knocked her down, and than
kicked her in a brutal manner. He attempted to
indecently assault her. Mr. Hayes, the clerk, said
defendant was • great brute. He cut a man's head
ppen on Monday night, but the case was made up.
Several previous convictions were read against the
defendant, and he was tined 40s and costs; in de
fault six weeks hard labour.

WOWEWS QUAREZL9.—Anti Williams was charged
with assaulting Ruth Powell, on the 2nd inst. The
case was adjourned for a week for the purpose of
producing further evidence.

DICTAININQI A Doo.—Cornelius Woodcock was
charged with unlawfully detaining a dog, belonging
to Thomas Adams. Complainant said ho bought
the dog of defendant, and gave him .£1 is for it.
The dog went back to defendant's house but lie re-
fused to give it up. Defendant denied having the
animal, and the Case was adjourned for a week, for
the appearance of a witness.