The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1872-08-24 00:00:00

A SOLICITOR COMMITTED FOR AN

ASSAULT.

Nathan Corbett and Enoch Lloyd were
charged by George William Prescott with as-
saulting him on the 19th instant. There were
cross-summonses charging George William
Prescott with an assault at the same time and
place.
Mr. Young (Oxford Circuit) appeared for Mr.
Prescott, and Mr. Addison for defendants.
_

Mr. Prescott deposed : I am complainant in
this case. On the 19th of the present month,
about nine o'clock, I went down to the post office.
On returning, and when near Mr. Field's shop,
I crossed the road. Saw the defendant Corbett
there, and three other persons talking together,
near the Rev. T. Williams's door. As I was
passing one said, " Who stole the donkey ?" I
had a white hat on at the time. I returned to
the Police Station, but did not see an officer. I
had previously had to go to the Police Station
for protection on the previous Wednesday.
Having seen no police I returned home. The
defendants had moved away. Sstv them in the
street, opposite the Old Crispin. Corbett was
there. They repeated the words, 'Who stole
the donkey, and "smirked." I then walked
faster, when the two defendants ran past me. I
walked towards home, and saw a man named
Smith, in the angle. Young Parker, who is
lame, called Smith, saying, " Come on." Smith
went on, and I followed round the corner. Coy.
bat struck me on ihe face several times with his
fists. Lloyd, who was in the centre of the road,
got, me by the back of the neck, and struck nie
with a stick. Previous to Corbett striking me,
he said something about stealing cabbage. Did
not know what he meant. While being struck I
retreated as far as I could, and struck Corbett in
self-defence. Smith was standing by, aiding and
abetting. Corbett and Lloyd took the stick off
ine, knocked me down, and dragged me along the
road 11 yards, and kept hitting me with their
fists aud sticks. I cried out, " Murder," hoping
some one would come. My son came, and saw
me on the ground. lam bruised a good deal
about the body. Did not go to a surgeon. Did
not want to incur the expense. Mr. Elcock and
Mr. Cooper saw the men beating me. I appealed
to thew for protection.
In answer to the Bench, witness said he had
not summoned them. He afterwards took out a
summons against defendants.
Cross-examined: Corbett did not say anything
to me about some plants. Either Corbett or
some one else there said, " Who stole the don-
key 7" They repeated it when at the angle.
Mrs. Ruck was there with Elcock and Cooper,
She said she hoped I had got enough. I kvill
swear it was the two defendants who took the
stick oft me. Corbett struck at me and fought
at use. After I struck him he was not so fierce,
It quietened hitn.a bit. I struck him as bard as
I was able from my position. Corbett was bleed-
ing from the wound.

Georg q William Prescott, jun., gave corrobo-
rative evidence.
George William Prescott gen.' was then
charged with assaulting Nathan Corbett and
Enoch Loyd, at the same time and place.
Previous to the hearing of this case, Mr. Ad.
dison addressed the Bench for defendants, con-
tending that Mr. Prescott had made a violent
attack and a most brutal assaalt upon Corbett,
and hoped the Bench would deal out to him what
he deserved, and that what he had said was an
entire fabrication.

Nathan Corbett, groom to Mr. Parker, said:
I was going to my lodgings about a quarter past
nine. Loyd, Smith, and young Mr. Parker were
with me. I had my coat on my arm. I have
heard what Mr. Prescctt has said about someone
speaking to him, and it is untrue. I asked de-
fendant what he meant by charging me with
stealing my master's plants, when he drew back,
and struck me on the head with a loaded cane.
I was stunned for several minutes. When I
came to myself, I saw Harry Smith taking the
stick off defendant. Prescott then rushed at
Loyd. Did not see Loyd strike defendant with
a stick. Defendant then struck at me again,
and I struck him on the bosom. Did not see
any blood on defendant. I went to Dr. Camp.
bell's, and Mr. Birt dressed my wound.
Cross-examined: I did not owe Mr. Prescott
a grudge. No one amongst us shouted "Who
stole the donkey." I asked him why be said I
stole the plants, and he struck me on the head
with a stick.

George Birt, surgeon, said : On Monday
night about 10 o'clock, complainant came to Dr.
Campbell's surgery. I examined him and found
he had a severe contused sound on the head,
an inch and a half in length, and nearly down to
the bone. There was a good deal of blood on
the face and clothing. It would be a blow of
considerable force to have caused the wound.
Such a weapon as the stick produced would cause
the wound.

Henry Smith corroborated complainant, and
proved taking the stick off Mr. Prescott himself.
Enoch Lloyd, porter for Mrs. Blakeway gro-