The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1868-06-13 00:00:00

WORDSLEY.

CR MI6 OF Coot. STEALINO.—At the Petty Sessions,
on Monday last, before F. Even, T. Y. Lee, and H.
Smith, Esqrs., Thomas Morris was charged with stealing
a quantity of coal, on the 13th ultimo, the property of
Thorns& Webb. Police-constable Fairbanks snot that he
was on duty at halLpast six o'clock on the above date.
when he saw the prisoner take several lamps of coal off
a cart, and give them to some boys named Wylie. The
coal welshed Otte. Ile took the prisoner into custody.
At the time the coal was taken a cart Was standing in
Brettell Lane, and the coal was taken from it. Thomas
Hill, manager to Thomas Webb and Son, proved that the
coal belonged to Messrs. Webb.—John Henry NYylde
and John Wyhte, father and son, were then chargel with
receiving the coal, knowing it to have been stolen. Mr.
Perry defended. Police.constable Fairbanks proved that
he alai the boy receive the coal. and the father received
it from him, and Mr. Wylde gave Morris a hag in return.
Mr. Perry addressed the Bench for the defence, and con•
tended that no felonious intent had been proved against
the boy. The Bench rentarke 1 that they did not think
there was any ease against the boy, and discharged him.
Mr. Perry then addressed the Bench for the father, and
contended that there was no evidence to prove that he
had received it knowing it to have been stolen lay Morris;
that Wylde had no guilty knowledge of where the coal
bad come front. It might Lave been picked up in the
road, or anywhere else. It most be roved that Wylde
had a guilty knowledge before they could convict him,
and before lie rolled the witnesses for the defeuce, he
should ask the Bench for their opinion on that point.
The Bench Said it was a case for strong suspieion, but
there wits not sufficient evidence to CrlfiViet. As regards
Morris, they considered the case itgaite,t hint proved, and
sentenced him to 21 days imprisonment, with hard
labour.

CllknoE or STEALING A KNIFF--Itiehard Woodward
was charged with ideating a knife on the sth in.tant. the
prop rty of James Holland. Mr. Addison defended.
sininuel Holland, carrier, proved that the prisoner came
into his shop at Brierley Hill, and took the knife pro.
duced, which waS worth Hld. There was no private mark
upon it, but witness cosi,' tell it from its general appear.
nice au i the niakei's name. When he amused him of
litkimt it, prisoner said he hind no money, or he would
have paid for it. Police-sergeant Carroll said that lie
went to take the prisoner into custody. Prisoner admit.
tech that he took the knife, anal asked Mr. Holland to
forgive him. Me Addi.am 'slid that he could not contend
against that evidence, but prisoner had hitherto borne a
g nod character. Prosecutor said he dhl not wish to
press the case. Bench considered the e.ooe proved,
hut as it was not pressed seat him to Stafford for Seven
days only.

A BIM, ICTORY Aifred Smith (15), was
charged with absconding with the Union clothes on the
lird inst. Richard Pardoe proviiil the ease, and said this
was the third time he hail absconded. The Bench said
they would cire him another chance. and discharged him
with a caution.

AN APPRENTICE AnenNrJNo, Samuel Smart Wall
charged by William Itolinson with absenting himself
from his with on the 9th ult, without any lawful excuse.
Complainant proved that defendant 1. ft on the above
date. In answer to the Bench, defendant said that he
was willing to return to work, and pay costs. Complain-
ant agreed to this, and defendant was ordered to pay 208,
the co,ts.

ASSAVI.T CASP. William Manley was ebarged by
John Cooper with assaulting him on the Whit ultimo.
Complainant said that shortly after twelve o'clock at
night, he was returning from hia lodge at Wordsley
the: n. when the defendant and a can named Walters
came up. Defendant struck him, and knocked him down.
The Bench fiord defendant Is and coats; in default seven
days.