The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle. — 1870-05-28 (Stourbridge, West Midlands, England)

THE LYE.  CHARON or UNLawrcum Woraniso.—At the Petty Sessions held at Stoorbridge, yesterday, before B. Little• wood and It. L. Freer, Eurs., James Hill, of the Lye, was charged with assaulting and unlawfully wounding Samuel Robins, on the 21st. Mr. Wall defended. Complainant, who was accommodated with a seat u he was too ill to stand. said: I am a nailmaker, and live at the Lye. On the night of the 21st inst. about ten o'clock, was at Samuel Pardoe's house. Prisoner was standing at his door. It is about ten yards from Pardoe'e to Hill'ecloor. I said to Hill, " You called me all the thieve, and scamps last night; now can you prove it ?" Prisoner's wife and daughter came up, and prisoner, who had • bar of iron in his hand, struck use on the heal. I was knocked down, and became insensible. Cross-examined : Was not drank. Had one pint of eider. Had a° quarrel with the prisoner. Was summoned sixteen years since for neglect of work, and once since for fighting.—Benjamin Sanders said I an, a botcher, of the Lye Waste, and saw the prisoner strike Robins with a piece of iron. Robins did not fall, as his wife and two 4ughters had hold of him.—George Handy, horsenail maker, of the Lye, 'mid he was near prisoner's house about ten o'clock. Saw the prisoner strike Robins two or three times with an iron weapon on his head, and he became insensible. —John Roberts, of the Lye. borsenail maker, said he new the prisoner shortly after Robins had been struck. He had • piece of iron in his Land. Saw him go into his house, and afterwards into the yard, saying" Come on in ;he won't work nest week." 'his was to his wife and deughter.—Benjamin Chance proved that he saw the prisoner coming from the direction of Robine's home, and swearing very badly, saying "That he would kill Robins dead." Had often heard the prisoner threaten Bobins.—Police-constable Rea proved that he found the piece of iron produced in the privy manure, and apprehended the prisoner on the charge of unlawfully woundMg Samuel Robins. Prisoner said how could he murder him, when be struck him with his list; and said he never was outside of his house, or used an unlawful weapon. He also asked what brought Robins's wife and daughter to insult his wife. On the way to the station prisoner said that Robins was only actiug, and that if he had hurt himself it was because he fell down, he was so drunk.— Robert Luther Bayley, surgeon, said the prosecutor (Itobiee) is under his care. He first visited him ori Sunday morniag. He found two wounds on his head. One of them an inch long. at the top if the head, an incised wound, and another on the side. • contused wound.— This being the case, Mr. Wall addressed the Bench for the defence, and contended that Robins had first lied the prisoner's daughter and wife, and that what he did was done whilst in the heat of ,passion. If the Bench thought an assault had been committed he hoped they would deal with the prisoner as leniently as pos. eible. Its should call witnesses.—Mary Hill, daughter of the prisoner, said: I was in the house having my supper with my father and mother, end heard • man coming down the road. making • noise. It was Robins saying, " Come out; I will kill you befere you go to bed. Ha opened the door, and had a stone in his hand. I ran to the door and pulsed him out, when the mosecutor threw auother stone which knocked the door down on to we. Prosecutor caught hold of we by the hair of my head, threw me down, and beat me wills the stone on the lase and arm, making my near bleed. My father then came out, and they began to fight. Thy both fell. My father did not strike Robin* with • piece of iron; only with his fists. When my father got up he emit for the police.— Matilda Allport, of Careless Green, said she was passing near the prisoner's house, when she heard Robins wearing and saying that he would kill the prisoner, and saw hint throwiug stones, but did not see the men lighting. —This being the ease for the defence, priseuer was committed to tile his trial at the nest Worcester Sessions, bail being accepted in two sureties of £lO each, and himself in £2O.