The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1873-12-13 00:00:00


BRIERLEY HILL.
CHARGE OF ASSAULT AGAINST A POLICE

OFFICER.

At the Petty Sessions, on Monday last, before
Messrs. F. Evers and H. O. Firmstoue, Joseph
Freeman, policmoificer, was charged with assaulting
Agnes Beasley, on the 24th ultimo. Mr. Wald,on
appeared to prosecute, and Mr. Addison defended.
Our readers will recollect that this case was adjourned
for further evidence.

Edward Compson, glassmaker, of Coalbourabrook,
was the first witness called. He said he recollected
seeing the girl Beasley at twelve o'clock at night on
the date of the alleged assault. He saw the defend-
ant catch hold of her by the left wrist, and beard
him say, " Come along with me.' She was walking
towards home, as he caught held of her. She asked
him "What for ? " He eaid, " Nothing ; I shall
not hart yon." They Logan to wrestle. At that
me a cab was coming aloud the road, and defend-
ant told complainant to come out of the road, or she
would be run over. Cartwright and his wife came
up at the thus. He said again, " Como along; I
shall not hurt you." She refused to go with him.
Witness asked him what she had done. Defendant
said she had not done anything; he had malls a mis-
take. Complainant's mother asked the defendant
twice over what her daughter had diao. Defendant
answered " Nothing at all." Witness had known
the girl a long time, and he was not interested on
either side.

Cross-examined: I was in Court during the last
trial, but was not called. I lout been snminoued
to appear. Complainant told Freeman that she
knew Lim, and that he bad insulted her before.
Mr. Addison : When did you go to my friend's
office to have your evidence taken down ?
_

Mr. Wataro% : I object to that7li4 i most dia.
graceful for a Brofesslimul matt to mik snob a (plea.
tion.

Witness: There was no one in the offioe when I
gave my evidence. I did not see the complainant
Milk° the policeman. Had she done so, I mnst have
seen her. Did not know at the time who the jr
WM. Had I known, should have gone to hr assist-
ance. She cried out, " Freeman, loose me; I have
done nothing." Ddeulant said, I know you've
not."

In gnawer to the Bench, witness said that he had
8643 D defendant go away with femalee before for an
improper purpose. He had watched him.

William Webb, bundler, residing at Words
ley,
said as he sno returning from Birmingham to Coal-
bout nbrook, he heard some one cry out, " Loose mu."
He'lcellt to see.what:was the matter, and saw that
the defendant had got hold of Beasley by the wrist.
Defendant said to complainant,'," If you do not coins
with tue I shall leek you up." Complainant'S mother
then came up and said to Freeman, " That is my
daughter ; do boo-, her." The mother said Flie
would take bier daughter to Sergeant flndson. The
defendant said:she should not, and eafed the :wilier
an old , aita said that her daughter was no
better. _ .

Cross-examinedl have becii:talking about!the
cage to Mrs. Cartwright and Beasley. Did not tell
them what I should swear. Was not with them but
a few minutes. Did not hear defendant ask for the
girl's name, but the girl said to Freeman " You know
who I am, and I know yen." I was perfectly sober,
and saw the last witness, who was against some rails.
Did not know the man, but he was sober; Eullell
more so than the policeman. I had been to Birming-
ham on business. I saw them wrestling together.
Complainant did not strike the defendant. I WM
the girl's father come, and he said ho would settle it
in a different manner.

Catherine Cartwright said she was with her hus-
band, and when through the turnpike gate, heard the
complkinant scream. Went to see what was the
matter. Saw that Freeman bad got hold of both
complainant's wrists. Defendant told her if she did
not go with him he would lock her up. Witness's
husband told her to go and fetch the complainant's
mother. Witne.a did so, and she came down sad
toll the defendant to loose her daughter.
Cross-examined I did not bear any one cry out
n Stop her I did not tell my husband so. Free-
man did ask coruplainant fir her name. She told
him that he knew who she was, awl that if ho would
go a little farther up the bill be would know where
she lived.

By the Buell : The complainant was crying. I
heard the policeman ask her to go away with him.
Can't say what for. Saw the tollgate-keeper come
out. He did not speak to any one.
Mr. Waldron said that was the Clifie.

Mr. Addison said there was a croass-summons
taken out by the defendant at the request of the
Chief-eonstable, and he proposed to put complainant
in the box.

.31r. Waldron objoetod to this course.
_„ .

The Bench said they -8-vir;.ad the whole of the
facts out, and as it occurred at the same time they
had better hear it before they decided.
Agues Beasley was then charged with assaulting
Police-constable Joseph Freeman, on the 24th ult.
Complainant said that about twelve o'clock he was
on duty near Coalbournbrook Gate, and when within
25 yards of the Little Pig public-house, he heard
some o3tie coining down the road from the direction
of Stourbridge. When defendant came up to wit-
11C6A he said, " Hold," and stood in front of her, and
asked her name. She said she would not tell him.
He stopped her because some one was calling out,
" Stop her." When the defendant got up to him she
struck him on the chest with her list. Ile then laid
hold of her by the wrists, and told her she should
not go any farther until he knew who she was. The
mother then came up and said defendant was her
daughter, and he then loosed her. He considered it
his duty to stop her, as she was running, and some
one cried cut " Stop her."
By the Bench: Defendant deliberately strum me
on the chest with her fist.

Cross-examined: What all the people have said is
false. Have been in the force is years, and have
been charged with perjury. I know Compson. Did
not see him at the time. I know Sutton's public-
house. Have been in the house four or five times.
Did not knowlthe defendant. The first time he ever
saw him was on the night of the 24th nit. I have
asked the man at the toll-bar to give evidence. He
said he knew nothing about it.
This being the case, the Bench retired to consider
their verdict. On returning into Court,
Mr. Evers said they had given the case a good deal
of consideration, anti were of (minion that the officer
had exceeded his duty. The assault was not a seri-
ous one, and they should not put a heavy tine upon
him, but should orderihim:to pay 106 and costs; in
default 14 days. The charge of assault against
Freeman they should dismiss.
The announcement of the verdict was greeted with
cheers in Court, whlehwere, however, immediately
sum-need.

Daimiairliass.—Before Messrs. H. Smith and B.
St. John Matthews, Frederick Shaw was charged
with being drunk and incapable, on the night of the
sth inst. Policc-constable Doobar proved the case.
Fined Si.

A REFRACTORY PAUPER, Chance Scott was
charged with refusing to du his work at the Union,
on the 6th inst. Isaac Perry proved the case, and
the defendant was sentenced to one montlf hard
labour.

DRUNK AND DISORDERLY.—Abraham Pearce WaS
charged with being drunk and riotous on the night of
the sth inst. Police-constable Banton proved the
Case. Pleaded guilty. Several previous convictions
having been proved, the defendant was fined lOs and
costs.

iIIOWA'AY OFFENCE—CharIes Dimmock, George
Dimmock, Thomas Skidmore, James Granger, Ben-
jamin Horne, Thomas Jasper, and Reuben Bloomer
were charged by Superintendent Mills with obstruct.
fog the road at Mount Pleasant, on the let instant.
Police-constable Lavin said that the defendants, and
about a hundred others were pigeon-flying, and caus-
ing an obstruction on the footpath. Ho had repeat-
edly complained to the defendants, who are pigeon
Fined Is each and costs; in default seven
days.