The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1874-03-14 00:00:00

THE LYE WASTE RIOTERS.

The two prisoners, Davied Pritchard and Enoch
Pardue, remanded from Friday, were brought up be-
fore Messrs. J. C. A. Scutt and J. B. gochrane, at
the Stourbridge Police Court, on Saturday morning,
on the charge of rioting at the Lye on the 12th of
February. The same attorneys were engaged on
both sides. There was no further evidence adduced
no behalf of the prosecution. Mr. Percy called three
witnesses on behalf of Pardee, with a view of proving
an afibiMr. Scott said there was a preponderance of
evidence to prove that both prisoners were ring
leaders in the riots, and they would be committed
to take their trial at the Worcester Assizes.
At the Worcester Assizes on Tuesday, David
Prichard (22), collier, and Enoch Piudoe (24),
nailer, were indicted for being concerned in a riot
at The Lye, on the 12th February.
Kyuuereley prosecuted, and Mr. Sewer de-
fended.

Superintendent Freeman said he was at The
Lye with sixty police on the day of the electionfor
East Worcestershire. About ten o'clock in the
morning stone-throwing commenced. Several
hundred persons had then assembled, and they were
very violent, the violence being such as to cause ter-
ror to peaceable persons. They broke down a field
gate and some wood fencing, and threw that also.
About four o'clock the Riot Act was read by Mr
Swindell, a magistrate. When the police were go-
ing home, the mob followed them for half a-mile,
eot on a railway bridge, and threw down stones.
Tue police had to turn round and charge the mob.
John Rea, sergeant of police, stationed at Lye
Waste, said he was there on the election day He
saw the prisoner Pritchard in front of the Me-
chanics' Institute, about a quarter before eleven,
when stones were being thrown at the police Pri•
Boner threw two or three times. In the afternoon
witness again saw prisoner among the crowd, throw-
ing stones. Witness was struck.
Police-constable Herbert Medea said he was on
duty at the Lye on February 12th. He had known
Pritchard perfectly well for twelve months, and
also knew Pardoe by sight. He saw both men in
the crowd at a quarter to eleven in the morning,
throwing stones and also saw them throwing seve-
ral times afterwards. Witness was struck, and his
helmet was smashed in. The stones were thrown
at the body of police of whom he was one. During
the afernoon Pardoe was standing out from the
crowd, and was beckoning to the crowd, and Baying
Come on you—."
Cross-examined : Pardoe wore a cap; Pritchard
had on a sleeve waistecoat. He noticed Pardoe was
one of the leading men, and asked Police-constable
Toniline what his name was.

Police-constable Tomline said he was stationed
at the Institute on the following day. He knew
Pritchard and Parcloe. He saw them stone-throw-
ing st a quarter to eleven o'clock, and at other times
during the day. Pardoe stepped out in front of
the crowd and took an active part all the afternoon.
He was calling out to the police to "Come on,"
and the officers several times charged the moh.

Police-constable Willetts said he had not hum°
Pritchard before 'the polling day, but Tomlin
pointed him out. Me saw both prisoners throwing
stones. Two Staffordshire policemen were badly
hurt.
Police-constable Smith said he saw Pritchard
shrowing stones and sticks by the Institute, and
also by the church. Prisoner was in front of the
people, leading them on.
Mr. Sawyer addressed the jury in defence,
submitting that the rioting did not appear to have
been very formidable, for there was no evidence of
damage to preperty or of interference with voters,
and, whenever the police made a movement, the
people ran away. If the prisoners were the ring-
leaders, and came so close to the police, it was
very extraordinary that they were not taken into

eusvtotly.
Mr. Elijah Freeman, chainmaker, gave Pardee

a good character.
John Horner stated that pardoe was in and out
of a public-house all the day; and Maria Bradley
spoke to prisoner having been at home at different
times, and of his having injured his hand in the

morning.
The Lord Chief Justice asked Mr. Sawyer
whether he thought the witnesses were proving
anything in his favour.
Mr. Sawyer replied that he had only the same
class of evidence. As he had told the jury, he
could not account for the prisone's movements
throughout the day.
No more witnesses were called, and the Lora
• Chief Justice summed up.
The jury found the prisoners guilty. Sentence
to three months imprisonment.