Bargoed Journal. — 1912-01-11 (Gelligaer, Mid Glamorgan, Wales)

BARGOED POLICE COURI.  rM Friday, before Mr. W. W. Ware (in the chair), and Dr. Dan Thomas. A man with a mission. There was a good deal of laughter during the hearing of a case in which John •Stowman (60), a mason, of Gilfach, was charged with causing an obstruction in Hanbury Road at 9.30 p.m. on Saturday, December 30th. Police-constable Thomas, who gave evidence, was continually interrupted by the defendant, who was anxious to justify his action. The officer was taking the oath when defendant broke in " I do a bit of missionary work and have the authority of the Deity to do so. I think I should have the freedom of another public man; a public crier can go through the streets and say a few words and nothing is said. I think I ought to be granted the same privileges as another man." Police-constable Thomas : He was singing and shouting. Defendant: Well, yes, I was singing and shouting. liThe officer went on to say that the traffic was quite disorganised, people having to walk around the crowd surrounding defendant, and hauliers having to lead their horses by the head. Defendant refused to go on for some time. Defendant: I went on, sir. Don't say I didn't. I did go. I kept on moving. The went on to say that after several remonstrances and giving some impudence defendant walked backward up the street, the crowd following. Witness ha cautioned him several times, defensi-nt being there every Saturday night. Defendant: I am charged without a crime. I ought to have freedom to speak and sing. I went out to deliver a message and a special message, too. Why can't I deliver a message as well as anyone else? Why should Ibe monopolised by a policeman? (Laughter.) It is not right to monopolise a man's freedom of speech. I spoke the truth in soberness. The Chairman: What was he saying? Witness: He was shouting to them to get ready and that the day of reckoning is coming. (Laughter.) Asked if he would promise not to repeat his conduct defendant said he would not, adding: "It was for God I stood, not money. lam not begging, I am out for God." Defendant, who was bound over in the sum of £5 to be of good behaviour for six months, had the last word. " I do not understand that, 'good behaviour,'" he said, and left the court with a puzzled look. Fowl murder at Llanbradach. Joseph Williams (20), a Llanbradach collier, appeared on a charge of stealing a fowl value 3s. 6d., the property of Margaret Shepperd, wife of Frank Shepperd, 14, Richmond Terrace, Llanbradach. The prosecutrix said that on the 2nd January she missed the fowl and had previously seen a man she could not identify, leaving the fowl-house. Esther Davies, sister of the prisoner. said her brother told her when he came home late on the night in question, that he had killed a chicken. -. Prisoner pleaded guilty and was sent to prison for fourteen days. (lave himself up for dead. The Gellygaer robbery with violence case was further gone into when Oliver Davies, 23, collier, Pengam, and Win. J. Perry, 24, collier, Pontypool, were brought up on remand and charged with stealing from the person with violence, of Joseph Bell, £2 15s. in money, and a watch and chain. 4* ad The evidence given at the previous hearirez and already reported in the "Journal" 'was repeated. Some • amusement was caused by the prosecu; tor wishing the depositions to include that during the assault "he gave himself up for dead 4 times," one of the de.