The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle. — 1875-06-12 (Stourbridge, West Midlands, England)

CRADLEY HEATH.  DRUNK AND REFUSING TO QCIT. At the Old Hill Police Court, on Wednesday last, Frank Jones was charged with being drunk and refusing to quit the Reindeer Inn, on the night of the :sth instant. Mr. Sanders appeared for the complainant, and Mr. Holberton for the defendant. Mr. Sanders, in opening the case, said the complainant is the lessee of the Reindeer, and the defendant, who is hisibrother, is the owner of the property. He should prove that on the night of the above date, just before eleven o'clock, the defendant came to his brother's house, drunk. He refused to go out, and complainant had to put him out. Defendant and others then committed a violent attack upon the complainant, and his brother said he would murder him. He had suggested to Mr. Holberton that if his client would pay the costs, and be bound over, he was willing to withdraw all the cases. This was objected to by the defendant, and Mr. Sanders said he should prove a very serious assault had been committed upon the complainaLt, and if he did so, he should ask the Bench to punish defendant as he deserved.—Complainant said that just before eleven o'clock the defendant, who is his brother, came to his house saying, "I have come to catch you, —." Witness said, "Why, Frank, have you turned informer? Why did you not bring a poliee-officer ?" Witness also told him he was drunk, and asked him to leave. Defendant said he should not go out of the house' as it was his property. Witness told him the time. He refused to go, however, and witness attempted to put him out. When at the back door, defendant, with two others, got the complainant down, kicked him on the head and back, and scratched his face. On cross-examination, witness said that he did not strike the defendant, and he did not use any unnecessary violence in putting him out. On reexamination, complainant said that when the door was closed defendant burst it open, and threutened to murder him.—Ann Harper, barmaid, gave corroborative evidence, as did also, Ann Jones and Leah Southall.—Mr. Holberton addressed the Bench for the defence, and said that his client was passing by and as he had been informed that complainant was in the habit of having his house open after hours, and defendant went into the house to caution him, knowinc, that the license was in danger. He denied that his client was drunk, but asserted, on the contrary, that the complainant v, as druid( The defendant believed he had a bona fide right to go in. —Defendant was then put into the box, and said as be went home he had to pass his brother's house, either in front or tack. As he was passing on the night in question, he heard some one say,:" Sam, fill my botle, I want to be off." At that time it was 20 minutes past eleven o'clock. He went into the house and told his broth. r it was wrong to have any one in his house at that time. At that time he heard a voice say, "Now, Sam, I want my glass of gin." He went into the house, and saw several persons there. He told complainant he would get into trouble, as it was 20 minutes past, when he was struck by the complainant, and knocked down. His face was iejured. He got up, when his brother struck hie, again, and he defended himself. Louisa Jones was called to corroborate. The Bench considered the case proved, and tined defendant 20s and costs.  CH %MOE OF Assauur.—Frank Jones, Louisa Jones, and Sarah Dobson, were then charged with assaulting Samuel Jones, on the sth. Mr. Sanders said he wits now qnite willing to withdraw all the charges if defendant would pay the costs, and be bound ever to keep the peace, and if he was wise he would congent. Mr. Holberton said he should recommend his client to do so. The Bench also remarked that they wore of opinion it would be the best thing to do. Frank Jones then agreed, and was bound over in his own recognizances in £5 to kat p th 3 peace for six months. The caseos against the females were withdrawn.