Bridport, Beaminster, and Lyme Regis Telegram and Dorset, Somerset, and Devon Advertiser. — 1878-11-15 (Bridport, Dorset, England)

OBRNE ABBAS. COUNTY PErry SESSIONS, Wednesday.—Before Captain Mount Batten and Colonel Digby, M P. Two young na-n, of Iffelcombe Horsey, named Richard Hopkins and Frank Curtis, labourers, were charged with stealing a piece of beef, weighing abont 201b5., from a cart at Melcombe Horsey, on the Ist inst., the property of Henry Toni% of Sturminster Newton.—Mr. Topp, on being sworn, said he was a butcher, and resided at Sturminster Newton. On the evening of November lit he passed through Chiang, nem and Ildelcombe on his way home from Dorchester with a horse and cart, which contained some pieces of beef. He called on several custom tra in those villages, leaving his ea, t in the road during the time he went to the houses, and when he got to Hartfootline he missed the largest piece of beef. Hi had it safe at Chiselborne, and t was iapossible for it to fall out as the cart was a deep one. The piece of beef now produced was his property, and was worth 14s. It was stolen trim his cart on the night of the Ist inst.—P.C. Burden said he was a police countable stationed at Chiselbome. About half-past ten at night on the Ist inet, he was on duty at Melcombe Horsey, and on passing the cross roads where there is a cart house, he turned on his light, and saw the two prisoners standing in the carthouse, and they appeared to be trying to hide something. He said "What have you there r Hopkins said "AU right, police; it's nothing any harm ;" and Curtis started homewards. He (witness) examined a bundle Hopkins had tied up in a pocket-handkerchief under his arm, and found it to be the meat produced. On further questioning him prisoner told different stories as to how he came by it, and at last said lie found it. As he did not feel satisfied with the account prisoner gave, he took him into custody on suspicion of stealing it. He afterwaids took Curtis into tustody, when he (Jurtos) said he knew nothing ab /ut the in-s, but hat met Hopkins just before seeing him (witness), and bad lent him his handkerchief to tie it up in.—The Beich /sentenced Hopkins, who pleaded to ax weeks hard labour, and discharged Curti., Three Ki 171,1444 named .1411111$ Alf Ord lan., J(416148 Alford, jun , and Iffeaskiak Alford, was charged on a warrant with violently assault/ 'Cnomas Hughes, a gipsv, at Hippowder, on the 30th October, at nine in the evening. They were further clamed Wth obtaining by threats and menaces from Charles Hughes. another gipsy, the SUM of 111., at the same time and place. The eviden ie went to show that these men, who were all gipsies, travelled the couatry sweeping chimneys end mending ambre lie, had fallea out by the way some twelvemontir ago, and had ant m-t since until the day in question. when it was alleged Thomas Hughes was badly beaten by the Affords, getting his head cut open, and his arm bruised, die., and Charles Hughes gave them 11.. to get them to go away. He gave it t teal entirely through fear as they demanded money ef him, and their behaviour and thresh s were so violent that had he not done so he feared something more serious would have happened—murder, he believed.—The three prisoners were formally eommitted fortrial at the Jeaaary Ses.dons on both charges.