The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1874-03-21 00:00:00

OLD HILL.

ASSAULT Cass.—At the Petty Sessions held on
Wednesday last, before Messrs. F. W. G. Ham:,
H. Smith, and H. Hall, Benjamin Greenfield Iva:
charged with assaulting Sophia Price on the Nth
inst. Complainant said that the dbfendant struck
her child. She complained to him about his con-
duct, when defendant struck her and blackened
her eye. She had summoned him before for a
similar offence. Defendant pleaded guilty.—The
defendant was further charged with being the
father of his illegitimate child; to which he also
pleaded guilty. For the assault, defendant was
fined 20s and costs; in default one month. For
the support of the child lie was ordered to pay 2,4
64 per week.
WOMEN'S QUARRELB.—CIara InCO was charged
by Hannah Bannister with assaulting her on the
ijhi inst. Mr. Stokes defended. From the evi-
dence of complainant, it appeard that there was a
dispute between the parties about drying clothes
on the line, when the defendant picked up a brick
and struck her across the nose, blackeneddier eyes,
and she became insensible. When she came to
herself she was in the care of some women. Sarah
Jay said that she was there from the commence-
meat, and saw the defendant strike complainant
and knock her down, kneel upon her, and beat her
until she was covered with blood; and she got the
defendant off the complainant. —Harriet Jones [IA
gave corroborative evidence.—Mr. Stokes ad-
dressed the Bench for the defence, and contended
that complainant and defendant were as bad as
each other; that they had a fair stand-np fight,
and complainant got the worst of it. He called
Ellen Daft, who said they both fought. The
Bench considered the one proved, and fined the
defendant 2s 61 and costs.

HIUHWLY OFFENCE.—George Harrison, Thomas
Ellis, Frederick Jones and Thomas Taylor were
summoned by William Whitehouse, Inspector, for
that they did, on the 2nd mat, permit a quantity
of filth and matter to accumulate in front of their
houses in Chapel-street. Mr. Wright appeared on
behalf of the Local Board, and said he did not
wish to pness for a penalty ; but if they would pay
the costs and remove the nuisance at (micelle should
be satisfied, as the nuisance was becoming very
serionii to health. Mr. Whitehouse, Nuisance In-
spector, proved that he found a nuisance existing
on the defendants' premises, and served them with
notice. The nuisance was not abated, and existed
again on the 2nd inst. The Bench ordered the
defendants to abate the nuisance, and pay costs.
Assanur CASE.—Benjamin Butler was charged
by Benjamin Johnson with assaulting him on the
4th February. Complainant said ashe was driving
along in a cab, at Old Hill. On the above date he
was struck with a stone on the forehead. He hail
been ill ever since, and was blind for some days.
He could not say who threw the stone. Ebor
Hollis said he was, in a cab with the complainant,
taking him home from the booth. Saw the de-
fendant throw a stone into the cab, which struck

the complainant on the forehead, and rendered him
iusensible. The stone produced was the one he
threw. Had known the defendant for some time,
and was positive that it was he who threw it.
Samuel Smart said he saw tho defendant throw at
the cab. He did not see whether the stone struck
any one, It was a Hansom cab, and the stone was
thrown in the front of it. John Cookson said he
saw the defendant throw a stone into the cab, and
the man fell. The defendant, in answer to the
charge, stated that he did not go farther than the
polling booth, and was not there at the time al-
leged. In supp ,rt of this, he called Benjamin
Billinghain, of the Five Ways, who said he went
into Benjamin Price's, soon ofter ten o'clock, and
stayed with the defendant there until after four.
He paid for all the ale they had, which cost him
us. Henry Crampton also gave evidence. The
Beneh considered the case proved, and sentenced
defendant to two months' hard labour for the as-
saidt, and ordered him to pay the costs; in default
14 days' further imprisonment.
STEALINki SPIRITS.—AIfred Broom was brought
up on remand charged with stealing a quantity of
brandy, whisky, and rum, on the 6th instant, the
property of Joseph Whitmore, of the Cross Inn.
—Mr. Stokes appeared for the prisoner.—The evi-
dence was read by the elerk.—Walter Palle! (re-
called) said that on the Thursday ha had souse rum
and water with the prisoner, in the brewhouse.
He could not say the quantity: it might be about
six peunyworth.—Police-constable Jackson said
that he was left in charge of prisoner, coming from
Haden Hill, while Police-constable Cooper went
for comniitment. Prisoner said, "If I had known
it would have come to this, I should have paid for
it. I could soon have got the money, if it 11144.C.5(%
Mr. Goodman, the clerk, was present at the tiuie.
Cross-examined: I did not say anything to anyone
until the ease was closed last week. The case was
nothing to do with me. Did not think the evidence
was important.—The prisoner, on being charged,
pleaded not guilty, and Mr. Stokes addressed the
Bench for the prisoner, and complained in strong
terms of the way in which the ease had been
patched lip; aunt contended that there was not
sufficient evidence for any jury to convict, and
asked that the prisoner be discharged. Mr. Stokes
also complained that one of the sitting magistrates
had been to visit the place where the alleged rob-
bery took place.—Mr. Barra said he went to visit
the place for his own information, and the priso-
ner's name was not mentioned. He had done no
more than many magistrates had dune, and he con-
sidered it his duty when so serious a charge had
been made. He would withdraw from the ease, and
let it be settled by his two brother magistrates.—
Mr. Stokes lam very glad to hear you say so.—
Mr. Hall said they eonsidered it was a case for a
jury to decide, and committed the prisoner to the
Stafford Sessions,
CHARIiES UNDER THE FACTORY ACT. lIEWC
Davies, of Bank-street, Cradley Heath, was sum-
moned by William Brewer, Inspector, for allowing
one Eleanor Davies to work in his :shop on the
night of the 27th February, after the hour of eight
'clock at night. Defendant was further charged
with employing Caroline Davies, Eliza Davies and
Mary Willetts, after the hour of nine o'clook. The
Inspector proved the ease. Defendant stated that
Eleanor never worked in the shop in lies' life. In
answer to the Bench, Mr. Brewer said that the law
would not allow any woman to work after nine
o'clock at night. and that the rules stated that the
hours to work were from seven to eight o'clock.
Fined fld in each case, and costs.—Benjamin Green
was charged with allowing Sarah Ann Haybould to
work after the hour of nine o'clock on the night of
the 27th February. Defendant was further charged
with permitting William Green 'l6), to work after
nine o'clock. Defendant pleaded guilty, and w
fined 6,1 in each case, and costs.—Aun Davis, John
Sanders, John Forrest and Charles Southall were
charged with similar offences, and ordered to pay
costs, and cautioned.