The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1873-10-18 00:00:00

EL&LBSOWEit

ASSAULTING • STEP FATHER:AS the Police Court,
on Tuesday, before Major Smith end Mr. J. Watson,
John Payne was cherged by Francis Thomas, with
assaulting him on the 3rd 'net, and complainent prayed ,
for sureties of the peace. Complainet aii‘d he came
home from Birm'eghain on the afternoon of the above '
date. Defendant was at his house and slot& him on
the face sever. "lines, I rocked him dossa and kicked
him. Defendant is step-son of complain: 4. Defendant
said complaivant gulled his mother bait names, and be
then struck him. He had received sufficient provocation.
The Bench did not consider it any case for peace warrrat.
Defendant was fined tid and costa fora common assault.
ASSAULTING • WOlMS.—Benjam: r Green was charged
by Ann Clerk, with aesar`tieg her on the 3rd 'nat. Corn-
plainaut said defendant called her a" cow," end then
stock her without any provocation. Defendant said
complainant assaulted b,ni 0-stand he was compelled to
strike her in self-defence. Witweases were exile I on
both sides, and after heatieg the evidence, the Bench
eitamilmed the case. .
ANOIRS6 ASSAULT.— John Coley was charged w.th
assaulting Joseph Swe'o, on the leth of July. Joseph
Ssviunjuu.,was charged %Ali atioar 'tang Ann Coley at the
same time end place. Mr. Sitelcespeere appeared for
Cole s, rod Mr. kiotherton for Swore's. The assault on
Ann Coli y waetaken first. Complainant said she kept
a s,cocer's shop at Briateithe't fields. About three
o'clock she saw John Sworn jun. He threw a handful
of rubbish into the shop. It made a noise and Clue.s
mother went to the door and spoke to defendant. Some
Moues were afterwards throw a into the yard by defen-
dant. She went into the ysrd and saw defendant, who
threw a piece uf brick which struck her mother on the
leg. He afterwards picked tip two stones, one of which
he threw at her, and with the other he struck her on
the mouth, head, and shou'ders. She had not touched
him. It made her mouth bleed. Emma Lewis, • sister
of defendant, threw atones at complainant and to so at her
mother. Lewis picked up • basket and struck Mrs.
Coley on the forehead with it, and also struck her on
the hand. Cross-examined : Did not see my brother
kick or hit defendant. My mother did not strike Mrs.
Lewis. My brother was in the garden, but he did not
throw stones. Mrs. Coley was called, and said defen-
dants lived on the opposite side of the coal, and they
came down their entry. About three o'clock in the
afternoon of the above date. She went into the shop in
consequence of hearing a noise. She spoke to defen-
dsnt abuut throwing some dirt into the shop. She
afterwards MD the defendant outside the garden. As
soon as she went outside the door, a piece of brick
thrown by defendant, struck her on the leg. She saw the
lad strike her daughter on the face and make it bleed.
The weenie, Emma Lewis, also struck witness on the
back with a basket, and it made her face bleed. Mr.
kthiberton, ie defence, said the row commenced in con-
sequence of Coley'e son throwing at the defendant
Joseph Swain, jun. He should deny that the 1101311,9
Lewis essaulted Mrs. Coley, and prove that Mr. Coley
asearrted Joseph Swain by throwing water over him.
Swain was trod, and said he saw riefendent Coley
throw two buckets full of water over his (Swain'ir) little
boy only 5 year. of age, and when he remonstrated with
deter:Malt, he threw a bucket full over witness. Emma
Lewis and a woman named Pritchard, also gave evt.
deuce. After which the Bench rhamismil a charge of
assault preferred by Joseph Swain sen., against John
Coley; end in the charge of assault aga'nst Emma Lewis
arid Jueeph Swain jun., defendants were fined is and
costs each.
Citanos OE Ansow.—At the Police Court, on Tuesday,
Sarah Edmunds, a middle-aged woman, iesiding in the
parish of Harborne, wan charged with wilfully setting
fire to a rick belonging to Mr. Woodbridge, of Quinton.
Mr. Shakeepeare prosecuted, and Mr. Holberton was for
the defence. The evidence was to the effect that some
time ago the prisoner rid her husband were both in the
employ of the prosecutor. They were, however, dis-
charged. On Wednesday evening last, • rick of hay in
true of the prosecutor's teltds was discovered to be on
fire, but the TIMM. were extinguished before any very
serious damage was done. Prosecutor and one of his
men, on getting to the place, found a bundle of old
clothing, and this, was taken to the homestead and exam-
ined. hire. Woodbridge found t tit the rags corre•pouded
in pattern and appearance .ith the dress sae had given
to the prison.. This led to the apprehension of
Edwaesis.—Thr sexton of the chars. at !forborne was
called to prove that the prisoner came regularly to
oharch on Wednesday 'evenings, but that on the eveniug
of the day referred to she Mil sot arrive ti" nine o'clock;
and witness also deposed to seeing the prisoner in the
neighbourhood of the field where the rick is standing
the evening of that day.—Prisoner was comantted for
trial. .
PLEADED Orrurv.—Thomas Williams pleaded guilty
at the Worcestershire SOISAIOIIB, on Tuesday, to stealing
a fowl, ou the 2715 September, the property of Joseph
Nock, and was sentenced to nine months' imprlsonmeet,
with hard labour.
INQCSST.—An inquest was held on Saturday last, at
' the Sun Inn, Hesbury, before K Docker, Emit., touching
the death of Phillip Lastiford 57, whose body was found
ia the fiawne Pool, on the previous Wednesday. After
hearing the evidence, the jury returned a verdict of
' '• Accidental death."
Time LAM WOUNDING CASE. —At the Worcester
Semitone, on Tuesday last, before Mr. P. Amehlett, Q.C.
l'., Thomas Hill (on bail) was charged with assault-
ing and wounding .Thomas Morton, of Hales Owen, on
the 6th inst. Mr. Godson prosecuted, and Mr. Self de•
fended. the prisoner and prosecutor are neighbours,
and on the night in question • quarrel ensued between
them, whereupon it wee alleged the prisoner set upon
the prosecutor with a bill-hook. inflict--i 5 several wounds
on the face and head. Witnesses were called, bat,
according to their testimony, they did not see the
whole of the affair. Mr. Broxam, surgeon, gees evidence
to the effect that, on the night in question, he dressed
(oar wounds about the head and face of the prosecutor.
They were incised wounds of a slight character, and
were not dangerous, unless erysipelas set in. For the
defence it was urged that it was a mere family quarrel,
and that the wounds in question were inflicted in a
scuffle. Evidence was adduced showing that the family
of the prosecutor attacked Hill, and, with three other
men, very much illused him. One witness named Muck.
tow said that prisoner had nothing in his Mind at the
time of the collision, nor did he see any marks or
blood on the prosecutor's face at the time. Another
witness named Eliza Cooke also gave similar evidence,
and said that all through,the Hills were the aggressors.
Eventual:sr the jury convicted the prisoner, rend be DAS
sentenced to three months' hard labour.