The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1879-03-08 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

THRRATENING A GUARDIAN—Robert Roberts who lives in Whitfleldetreet, off Wesley-street, was charged with drunkenness, also with using abusive language to Mrs. Lee, the wife of John Benjamin Lee, grocer, Grange-lane--one of the members of the Board of Guardians. From the evidence it appeared that on Saturday night, about ten o'olook, the prisoner went into proseoutrix's shop and asked for Mr. Lee, saying that he bad said something to him and he wanted to have a talk with him over it. Proseoutrix said Mr. Lee was not in and prisoner then drew a revolver out of his breast pocket and said " call again for him. I have three men to shoot." He then left the shop and went into a publiohouse near by, where he was afterwards apprehended by P.C. 34. The officer asked him if he had got a revolver and he replied that he had not, but one however, was found on the prisoner being searched. It was unloaded. He was very drank. Mrs. Lee now said that the prisoner was a very quiet neighbour of hers and she was not frightened of him. Prisoner now said he had no intention of doing Mr. Lee or anybody else any harm. Be had a great respect for Mr. Lee. Mr. Preston, under the circumstances, imposed the nominal penalty of , 6g. and costs on the prisoner for being drank. PROSRCUTING A Coustu.—A boy, named William Taylor, was charged with stealing Is. from his cousin, George Taylor. The boy slept in the same room as the prosecutor and took the money out of his pocket. The prosecutor suited that it was his wish to send the boy to an industrial school. Mr. Preston said the lad was too old and he could only inflict is punishment for the present offence. He would order him to be whipped. ASSAULTING AN ALLZORD " Orowland was charged with assaulting Thomas Davies, a labourer, and using threatening and abusive language to him. Prosecutor said that on Saturday evening he went to the Pacific Steamship Navigation Company's offices for his wages. The prisoner was behind him and he said "Do you want your wages r and the prosecutor said "Yes" and he said "You can go before me. You were working in the strike." He replied that he WSJ not, and the prisoner said "If I was sate you had I would knock your b— face off." He (prosecutor) then went and drew his wages, and saw some men near the offices " mustering" some money together for some object. They asked him for a oontribution, and he said " I have nothing to spare as I have been out of work eight weeks." One of the men said, "You b--- thing, I'll kick your guts in ;" and another said, "Come this way or well murder you." He went towards the shed, and the prisoner and another man came up to him, and they both struck him and tore his cost. Prisoner hit him over the eye and caused a large wound. Mr. Preston : Have you been out on strike P—Prisoner : No. I was eight weeks out of work.—Mr. Preston: Did you know the prisoner previously P—Prosecutor : No. The prisonor said he never saw the prosecutor from the time he left the pay table • until the time he brought a constable to him.—Mr. Preston (to prosecutor) : Are you sure this is the man P—Prosecutor: Yes; I'm oertain.—Mr. Preston: Was it light/ Preset:tutor Yes.—P.O. 94 stated that on Saturday evening he was on duty near the Pacific, gates, and saw the prosecutor coming out bleeding from the mouth. He apprehended the prisoner whom Davies pointed out to him as the man who had assaulted him. Prisoner denied the charge in fob, and pointed to another as the one who had struck the prosecutor. Other evidence having been called, Mr. Preston (to the prisoner): I am quite satisfied you are the man who assaulted the prosecator.—Prisaner : I am not, your worship.—Mr. Preston: I am quite sure you are. The assault you have committed is a very serious one. lam very sorry that anybody is brought before me for an assault of this kind. The men have conducted themselves so well during the strike that I am quite sorry that any of their body should forfeit the good character they have had. An offence of this kind mast be punished heavily, and prisoner would have to go to gaol for a month, without the option of a fine.