The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1873-08-02 00:00:00

BRUTAL ASSAULT ON THE POLICE.

At the Public Office, on Monday last, before
Mr. W. C. Firmstoue and B. Littlewood,Williain
Steele, ironworker, of West Bromwich, WRS
charged with having assaulted P.O Somers, on
the 26th ult, whilst in the execution of his
duty. The complainant (who had a black eye)
said that about four o'clock, on Saturday after-
noon last, he was sent for to the Fountain
at Clout, to eject some disorderly persons who
were there, defendant being one of them. He
ordered them out, hut they refused to go, and
some of them struck him. He arrested one of
the most violent of the party, when the defen-
dant came up to himit mud said " You b
loose hint; if you don't I will cut your 1)--
' head off." Several of those around, then struck
him, and the defendant struck and kicked him
on the back. They got witness down, and he
was compelled to loose his hold of the man whom
lie had got in custody. Several of them kicked
him. The defendant was one of those who
kicked and maltreated him, andine.(defendant)
told witness that if he did not loose ihe man he
had in custody he would" Smash his b --
head in." Defendant declined:to ask witness
any questions.
:John Smith was called, and said he lived at
Mr. Wood's, at Cleut. lie Wai it work in Mr.
Wood's garden about four o'clock on Saturday
afternoon, when he heard a great disturbance,
and went to see what was tile lustier. At first
he could not see any policeman, but ho saw a
crowd ..f about 40 or 60 persons, and eventually
he saw they had got the policeman on tile
ground in the midst of them. The officer was
holding a luau by the throat. The crowd were
kii,,cking the officer about and kicking him.
t 1 amiss went to his assistance. Ho saw the
defendant strike the policeman twice on the
face, arid throw a stone at him, which struck
hint on the back. Witness also saw the defen-
dant kick the officer.

Mr. Phillips, sou of the landlord of the
Fountain Inn, at Clem, said the party, of whom
the defendant was one, mune to the Fountain
Inn about 10 o'clock in the morning of the
above date. He thought there were about 100
of them altogether. They came into the house
at frequent intervals during the day, until
about nail past three o'clock. About that time
they became drunk and quarrelsome, and wituese
deemed it prudent to en.up the tap. They told
defeudaut that he was nothing but a servant,
and insisted on having some inure drink. Ile
tried to eject some of them, ant they com-
menced pulling him about, and tore the shirt MI
his back. Ile went out of the house with the
intention of fetching toe p ienian, but seeiug
about 40 or 50 of the party outside he did not
think it would be safe for him to do so, and
accordingly weut Lack again into the house, and
setit his sister for the officer. Dpou hi arrival,
the Litter ordered them out, but they refused to
go. 'Tne utlicer, however, pushed two or three
of thew outside, when they all commenced to
assault him. Witness saw the defendant strike
the policeman twice, but there were several
others there worse than him. Defendant struck
him on the face. Witness thought there were
40 or 50 of the seine party round the police
wan at the time. Several of the remainder ran
away when they saw the officer coining.
Mr. J. J. King, of Wollescote Bail, said he
was drit Mg up to Cleut, with his wife, on the
afternoon of the above date, and when he got
up to the " Fountain," he saw a lot ef drunken
men about. On his entering the house, some
one said to hie, "I know you, you are sergeant
so!and-so." Witness said " Very well then-, you
had better keep the peace whilst I am here."
lie tried to keep them quiet,and afterwards saw
the crowd outside assaultiug the officer. He
saw the defeu hint go deliberately to the police-
man twice, and strike biru. The officer was
lying down in to iitch. It was the most dis-
graceful assault rig 'MA the police he (witness)
ever saw in his life. He cousidered the conduct
of tire officer plucky in the extreme.
Cross-examined by defendant : I did see you
hit him, and knock him down.
Defendant, in answer to the charge, said that
lie worked at Mr. Johnson's ironworks, at West
Bromwich. On Saturday last they had a party
to the hills. They all eines down front tire bills
to the Fountain about half-past three. There
was it row going on there at the time. Some
one struck defendant, and knocked him down,
:del he then thought it was time to look after
himself. Ile admitted striking complainant,
but allegiul that there were several others who
had assaulted the officer much more violently
than lie lad; and give it as his opinion that no
one was hurt.

Mr. B. Littlewood said he had never heard a
worse rose since lie had been on the Bench,
which i was now 20 years. They were determined
to rob ct the p3iice, and also the public against
the lawlessness of parties. whmlikc that of which
the defendant was one, came from a distance,
iind were guilty of riotous conduct. They had
it in their power to fine him £2O. or commit
him for trial, but as this was his first offence
they should only impose a penalty of half that
amount.

Defendant was accordingly ordered to par a
fine of £lO and costs ; in default three months'
prisminient.
At the termination of the case, Mr. Littlewood
thanked Mr. King and John Smith, two of
the witnesses, for coming forward to give evi-
dence on behalf of the police.