The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1880-09-18 00:00:00

BEIERLEY Ha ...

A Row AT WORDSLEY.-At the Police Court, On
Monday, before Messrs. F. Evers, L. Freer, R.
Woodward, and T. Fereday, William Cox, labourer,
Edward Fowles, moulder, both of Brettell Lane, and
John Poyner, moulder, Buckpool, were charged
with being drunk and disorderly on the 29th of
August. From the evidence, it appeared that on
the afternoon of the day in question the defendants
were drunk at Wordsley. Powles and Poyner being
engaged fighting, whilst Cox incited them. A large
crowd of persons congregated, and the traffic along
the road was temporarily obstructed. The Bench
fined the defendants Cox and Poyner each 40s and
costs, or in de:ault one month's imprisonment;
Fowles being fined 20s and costs with the alterna-
tive of 14 day's imprisonment. Mr. Evers charac-
terised the conduct of the defendants as disgraceful.
PROSECUTION UNDER THE OLD METALS ACT.—
James Shepherd, marine Store dealer, Stourbridge,
was summoned under the Old Metals Act for having
purchased less than 11.21bs of metal. On the Bth
inst.. a man named Lewis, who had previously
missed lead from his premises, sent a boy to de-
fendant's store at Coalbourn.brook, with 51bs of
lead, which defendant purchased. Police-sergeant
Moore, a ho had been watching the transaction, then
asked the defendant for an explanation, and he said
the boy from whom he had bought it told him that
his mother had s‘int him with it. Mr. Waldron,
who defended, urg. d that the defendant had been
in business for over 20 years and had hitherto b )rne
an irreproachable character. The Bench fined de-
fendant lOs and cos.s. .

ALLEGED CRIMINAL-ASSAULT.— James Homer (18)
puddler, Brettell Lane was brought up in cri-d.ody
charged with criminally assaulting Caroline Nicklin
a married woman, about CO years of age. living at
Chapel Mr. Holberron (Messrs. Homfray wad
Holberton) prosecuted, and Mr Waldron defended.
it appeared from the evidence of the prosecu•rix
that on the 6th instant, whilst on her Way from
Anableeote to Brettell Lane, she overtook the pri-
soner and anot,er man, and after having hal some-
thing to drink in their company sfie procee,ied on
her journey. Whilst crossing some fields, p:isoner
who was under the influence of drink, overcook her,
and, after a severe struggle with her, committed the
offence w;th which he was now charge.l:—Proie-
eutrix's statement was corroborated by some !lieu
who were at work in the adjoining fields, and went
to her assistance upon hearing her screams.—Dr.
A.shmead having given medical evidence, Police-
sergeant Salt proved apprehending the prisoner, who
said that if prosecutrix had not stoppel drinking
with him and followed him about, he shuld nor
have assaulted her. The Bench committed priscner
for trial to the next Assizes, and refused to allow
bail.
ALLEGED SHOOTING OUTRAGE ON A YOUNG
WOMAN.—Henry Garbett (21), moulder, Bretton.
lane 'lll,,mas Harvott (21), and Charles Ham) tt
(19), carters of Round Oak, were all placed in the
Dock charged with having criminally assaulted
Jane Hughes, a single young woman who lodges at
Brettell-laneaMr. Ho:berton (MEssrs. Homfray
and Holberton) prosecuted, and Mr. Waldion de-
fended. Prosecutrix wave evidence to the effect
that on Saturday night, the 4th of September,
about eleven o'ciceir, a girl named Polly Jeavons,
fetched her out of i.er lodgings. Upon going out-
side witness sw a young man named Levi Nicklin,
with whom she was keeping company, and pro-
ceeded with him and Jeavons to a spot known as
Barker's farm gate After being there a short time
Jeavons left them, and directly afterwards the
prisoner Garbett and seven or eight other men came
up, and Garbett commenced to jostle witness about
and made an improper overture to her. She
slapped his face and knocked his hat off, and then
proceeded to a stile a short distance away, wher3
she had been previously standing. Seeing Garbett
and his companions again approaching, witness
walked away along the side of the canal, and
Nicklin, who still accompanied her, askel one of
the men for a match, Whilst it was being given ti-
him, the prisoner Garbett and some of the other
men whom she could not name, rushed at her and
threw her down. Proseeutelix alleged that Garbett
and two other men, whom she did not now identify
then criminally assaulted her. Garbett also tried
to force a quantity of dirt down her throat ; her
shoes and stockings were pulled off, her dress torn
and she was dragged by the feet to the canal side,
two or three yards distant, and heard one of the
men say, "Let's throw her in." &meow replied,
"There is somebody coining." and then they all ran
away. It was after midnight when witness reached
her lodgings, and she then complained of what had
happened. Prosecutrix was cross-examined, but
nothing material was elicited beyond that she could
not identify the hrtitliers Ilarvott.—Mary Jeavons
described the pitiMl cendition of complainant on
her return.—Levi Nicklin said he was stopped by
the men for a light, and he walked away when the
others began to assault Hughes. He went for
assistance.—Dr. Ashmead having given evidence,
Samuel Pu.;ll stated-that he saw tie three prisoners
on the canal side before the assault took place.—
The case was then adjourned for a week, bail being
refused. .

CAUTION TO Peursits.—At the Petty Sessions,
held on Thursday last, before W. F, F. Boughey,
Esq., Stipendiary, Thomas Garry was charged with
tearing up the clothes of the Union. The case was
proved and defendant sentenced to 7 days hard
la hour.

A DRUNKEN WOMAN.—Maria Simpson was
charged with being drunk on the night of the 14th
inst. The ease was proved that defendant was
helplessly drunk in the street. Pleaded guilty. Fined
2s fid and costs, or in default 7 days.
Cosi. STEALING.—Mary Bowe-a and Sarah Patchet
were charged with stealing a quantity of coal, the
property of Earl Dudley, Police-constable Hicklin
proved that he saw both the defendants take coal.
hie met them and they dropped the coal. Police-
constable Taylor proved thot a great deal of coal
was taken from the "Wallows Pit" which was of
the best quaity. Adjourned for one mouth.
6C1:100L BOARD PRUSECUTIONS.—Thomas Wassail
was summoned by Verney Breton for neglecting to
send his son to school. The defence was that the
boy was in the Union. Adjourned for a week.—Job
Payne was charge with a similar offence. The case
was proved and defendant fined ss.—Henry Malpa-s
was charged with neglecting to send his son to
schcol. Fined ss.—Mason Jones Ns as fined 5s for a
similar offence.—Thomas Meredith adjourned for a
mouth.—Samuel Wasall was summoned for ne-
gl-cting to send his son to school. Fined ss,—.
lieorge,ltubbs was charged with a similar offence.
Fined ss.—John Carpnter was charged with
negLectiug to send his son to school. The defence
was that the boy was lame. Inspector Breton said
he often saw:the.boy wheeling a barrow. Fined 5a
—Thomas Firrustuue was charged with a similar
ofienca, Mr. Breton proved two previous convic-
tions, Fined bs. William Beddard was adjourned
for a month._