The Forest of Dean Examiner : — 1875-12-10 (Blakeney, Gloucestershire, England)

PARAMOUR IN BIRMINGHAM. On Monday, et the Birmingham Police Court, before Messrs. T. C. S. Eynneraley (Stipendiary), W. 31. Ellis, aid A. Riggs, Richard Oxford (33), described as a shopkeeper, 72, Suffolk-street, was charged with violently assaulting Margaret Kirkham, single woman of the some address—Mr. Cheston, who prosecuted, said that the woman had • been cohabiting with the man for some time. After stating what is given in evidence below, he said he thought the magistrates would consider it was a case for trial before the Recorder.—lle then called Margaret Kirkham, the prosecutrix, who mid she kept a fried-fish shop at 73, Suffolk-street. About seven o'clock on Saturday night the prisoner came in the worse for drink. She asked him to lie down on the sofa till he felt better. Ile told her to go away, and as she wee going into the shop he ran at her and kicked her on the body. To '"et array from him she went into the supper room, but he followed her in about a minute's time, and in answer to her appeal, Bout touch me again, Dick, there' a good lad," he kicked her three or four times on the legs, and knocked her down. While she was on the welled he struck her in the left eye with his fist, held her by the hair, and tried to choke her. To extricate herself from his dasp she scratched his face, whereupon he bit her on the breast, holding it with his teeth for several minutes, and making it bleed very badly. She cried out, and told him that if he would loose her breast she wouldforgive him. lie, however, did not let go till he was made to do as by a lodger named Charles Dunn.—Charles Dunn said he was lodging at 73, Suffolk-street. On Saturday night he was going into the back kitchen and heard cries of murder proceeding from the supper oom. On going thither he found the prisoner siding a chair above his head, and about to strike se woman. Witness asked him to desist, but the cleaner told him that if he did not go away he could servo him the same. At that time the woman vas not on the ground, but when witness entered Axe room the second time the table was overturned, and the wonum was on the floor. Ile heard her say, " Lot go my breast, for God's sake." With great trouble, witness made prisoner let go her hold.— After Police-constable Roden had deposed to apprehending the prisoner, prasecutrix appealed to the Bench not to commit, prisoner for trial—The prisoner, in defence' said that he was much the worse for drink: he had boon to his father's funeral, and had had spirits given him.—Mr. Kynnersley said it was a most mi age and brutal assault, and the prisoner deserved more punishment than they could give him, lie would be sent to the House of Correction, with hard labour, for six months.  party has been the repairing a the stoppings. So that in a short time a large number of bodies will doubtless be brought to the beak. An important consultation took place during the day between Mr. Wardell, Government Inspector for Yorkshire, Mr. Evelas, Inspector for Derbyshire, and: the leading mining engineers and colliery managers of the district, for the purpose of devising means for the recovery of the dead. The inquest on the bodies was opened at the Masons'Arms, Worsbro Daleotkis afternoon, after identification of several bodies, it was adjourned until Thursday morning. Only about 16 or 17 bodies hod been got out up to six o'clock to-night, and of these only 10 had been identified. Messrs. Normonsell and Casey visited the pit to-day, in ,ardor to ascertain how many of those who perished are members of their Association.  RiON -