The Warwickshire Herald. — 1891-11-19 (Birmingham, West Midlands, England)

BRUTAL ASSAULTS AT ASTON. _  At the Astoti Police Court, an Tuesday—before Mr. E. H. Stinger and Dr. Griffiths—Jahn Husselbee, moulder, Thimble Mill-lane, Bit ming. ham, and Henry Lawrence, castor, 2, Frederickterrace, Lmg-acre, Birmingham, were charged with unlawfully wounding James Lynam, moulder, 75, Union-street, Stuethwick, by kicking nim on the head in Sandy-lane, Aston, on the let inst. Prisoners were also charged with unlawfully wounding Henry Horton, labourer, 5, Beale-street, Aston, by kicking him on the face on the same occasion. Husselbee was further charged with assaulting Selina Horton at the same time. The charge of unlawfully wounding was with the consent of the parties concerned reduced to one of common assault.  Prosecutor said he had known both of the men for some time, but he had been away at Colchester for about eighteen months Not having seen his friends during this time he went with them to the Grosvenor Arms, at about one o'clock on Sunday the let inst. They had a number of drinks there and left at about 2,30, adjourning to the house of a friend, where they each had some dinner, and something, more to drink. They stopped there until the public-houses opened, when the three again went to the Grosvenor Arms. At this time they were no: drunk, but about "half and half."—Mr. Rowlands (the magistrates clerk): About three sheets to the wind? Prosecutor: Yes. They !remained at the public house until closing time, ten o'clock. When they , got outside witness and Lawrence had a few ' words, and then they had around. Both fell to the ground. The two prisoners then left him. Prosecutor subsequently saw Lawrence in Sandy lane and went to him and struck him. Lawrenee then went to return the blow, but in doing so missed his aim and fell to the ground. Someone then came up behind him and struck him on the ear. He then became unconscious, and on the following morning found himself at the General Hospital where he remained until the 12th inst., suffering from concussion of the brain. Henry Horton stated that at about a quarter past ten on the night of the let Met., he heard cries of " Murder I" and "Police I" He proceeded in the direction the cries came from, and saw two men, whom he identified as the prisoners, kicking a man who was on the ground. Witness remonstrated with them and threatened to have them "pinched." Upon this they both turned round, knocked him down and kicked him on the head and face and on the left shoulder. He was subsequently treated for his injuries at Mr. Pairley's. Selina Horton, daughter of the previous witness, gave evidence with regard to the attack on her father. The prisoner Husslebee took hold of her by the arm, stuffed a handkerchief into her mouth, knocked her on the floor, and kicked her in the ribs.  Police-sergeant Howkins stated that he and Pollee-constable Hutchins 8111/ the pro/mentor at Mr. Fairley's surgery where the latter offieer had taken him. He was subsequently taken to the hospital. Witneee arrested Lawrence at about 1.30 on the following morning, and Husselbee twenty minutes later, at their respective residences. Husaelbee pleaded guilty to assaulting Lynam and not guilty to the other offences. The other prisoner pleaded not guilty to both the offenees, with which he was charged. Husselbee had been convicted in Birmingham in the names of Huarelbee, Todd. and Smith, having no less than fourteen convictions against him nine of which were for assaults and 080 of seven years for robbery with violence. Mr. Stringer said that with regard to the assault by Husselbee on Lynam, his brother magistrate and himself agreed that it was one of the moat brutal assaults they had had before them. The ease was perfectly clear, and he would be sentenced to two months with Ward labour. The Bench also characterised the other amanita as very brutal ones, and sentenced him to two months' imprisonment in each case, six months in aIL With regard to the other prisoner the charges of assault upon Lynam and Selina Horton were dismissed. The Bench decided to convict in,the other case, but taking into consideration his previous good character and the fact that he had never been in trouble before they would only inflict a punishment of a month with hard labour.