Huddersfield Chronicle (11/Jan/1868) - page 6

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Magistrates in Petty Sessions

West Riding Court House, Princess Street, Saturday, January 4th, 1868. On the Bench: J. T. Armitage and J. Beaumont, £sqs., and Licut.-colonel Brooke.

Attempted Housebreaking in New North Road

Attempted Housebreaking in New North Road. — Joshua Stringer, a notorious character, was brought up on remand charged that, on the night of the 31st December, he was found, with housebreaking implements in his Possession, in the garden of Henry Beaumont Taylor, Esq., York House, New North Road, with intent to break into the dwelling House. Mr. J. Bottomley prosecuted ; and Mr. J. I. Freeman defended. On Thursday, when he was first brought up, the prisoner was charged with vagrancy; and the hearing of the case was adjourned to enable the magistrates to ascertain whether the information could be laid as to justify the prisoner's committal for trial at the sessions for attempted housebreaking. Mr. Freeman argued that a rope and handkerchief, which were found upon the prisoner, were not implements within the scope of the Act of Parliament ; and that the prisoner should be dealt with under the Vagrant Act. The Bench, however, unanimously decided to hear the depositions taken. Lieut.-colonel Brooke, referring to the point in question, cited Archibold, who stated that every instrument which was capable of being used for burglarious purposes, although ordinarily used for lawful purposes, was an implement of housebreaking within the meaning of the statute. Mr. Taylor then stated that, on the night of the 31st December, he and his family retired to rest at halfpast ten o'clock. Previous to retiring all the windows and doors of the house, which was approached through a garden, were fastened. He was called up about two o'clock by the police ; and, in consequence of the statements made to him, and the ropes being shown to him, they searched the house, and found it as it had been left on the previous night. On the next morning, he found imprints of a person's feet in front of the drawing and breakfast-room windows. — Police Constable Worsnip, of the borough police force, stated that he was on duty on the night of the 3lst December in the part of Huddersfield where the prosecutor's house is situated. About 12 o'clock he went through the garden and tried the front door, and also the windows, which were fast. Returning from the front door, he heard a rattle under the trees, and, fiashing his light, saw a man's legs in the trees. He went forward, and, on reaching the road, gave signals for another officer to come. Police Constable Sykes came up, and they went together to the place where he had seen the man's legs. The man was still laid there, and he turned out to be the prisoner. He called the prisoner by name twice, and, hearing his name a second time Stringer rose up, and he slipped the handcuffs on to one of his wrists. A rope fastened to a silk pocket handkerchief, dropped from the prisoner's neck. The prisoner then said " Leave go of my arm, or I'll drive into you, if you don't." The other officer tried to put the snaps on the other wrist ; and the prisoner uplifted his fist, and struck witness. He (prisoner) then wrenched his arm from the other officer, and struck witness in the face. A desperate struggle ensued, and witness drew his staff to defend himself. As they were escorting the prisoner down Westgate he said " Worsnip, be careful in searchin, me. I have only about £100 upon me in moneyand notes." On searching the accused at the police-station, another rope and a pair of goloshes, were found in his pocket; and, when charged with being on the premises for an unlawful purpose, the prisoner replied " You have not found what you wanted. I am all right." On the following morning, he went to Mr. Taylor's house, with Mr. Superintendent Withers, and found feet marxs, under the front room windows, which corresponded with the goloshes found in the prisoner's possession. The handkerchief fastened to the rope would enable a person to slide down without hurting his hands. — Policeconstable Sykes said, when they were securing him, the prisoner made a desperate attempt to get away; but, when the handcuffs were adjusted, Stringer was quiet. They did not pick up the rope which the prisoner threw from his neck in the scuffle, but found it afterwards in exactly the same place where they first saw the prisoner laid down. In cross-examination, he stated that the prisoner bled freely, but the wounds were not produced by Worsnip's staff, but in the struggle. In reply to the statutory caution, Stringer said 'I have nothing to say." — Mr. J. T, Armitage said: This is a proper case to go before a jury; and the Bench commit the prisoner for trial on the charge. The magistrates are of opinion that Police Constable Worsnip has conducted his case in a yery prudent and proper manner ; and he deserves very great credit for the manner in which he performed his duty on this occasion. — Mr. Superintendent Withers: I will take care to represent that to the Improvement Commissioners. — Mr. J. T. Armitage: I hope you will -The prisoner was then removed from the dock.

Tuesday

On the Bench: G. Armitage, S. W. Haigh, and L. R. Starkey, Esqs.

A Notorious Youth

A Notorious Youth. — John Ward, a member of the notorious "small gang," was brought up charged with being drunk and disorderly in Swallow Street. On Saturday Police Constable Crowther, hearing a noise in the above locality, went there, and found the prisoner, who had been assaulting his mother, threatening to commit an outrage with a poker. The prisoner, who had been several times previously convicted, was fined 10s. and expenses (total 17s. 8d.), or 14 days' imprisonment.

Alleged Wholesale Robberies by a Female

Alleged Wholesale Robberies by a Female. — Alice Wood, wife of an engine tenter, Longroyd Bridge, was brought up on a charge of shoplifting. Mr. Superintendent Withers said, in this case, he should ask for a remand until Saturday. The prisoner had been found in possession of two odd boots, stolen from a shop in Cross Church Street, on the previous day. When searched at the police office, pawn tickets were found upon her for a great number of articles. They had now three distinct cases against her, and hoped to have more by Saturday. The prisoner was accordingly remanded.

Damaging a Meerschaum Pipe

Damaging a Meerschaum Pipe. — Edw. Stocks, brewer, Milnsbridge, was charged with damaging a meerschaum pipe, the property of John Turner, cabinetmaker, Chapelhill, on the Ist inst. — The complainant stated that, on Wednesday last, he was standing at the door of his house smoking the pipe. The defendant, who was coming down the hill, came up to him, and, after saying "I thought you smoked cigars," knocked the pipe out of his hands. The pipe was broken, and the damage amounted to 7s. The defendant appeared to be "fresh" at the time. — He was fined Is., damages 7s. and expenses, making a total of £1 Os. 6d.

Ruffians at the Model Lodging House

Ruffians at the Model Lodging House. — A navvy, who gave the name of George Watts, was charged with assa iting Mr. W. Priestley, superintendent of the Model Lodging House, on the 5th January. Defendant: I ama stranger in the town and I had a drop of beer. — Mr. Priestley stated that on Sunday last, about four o'clock in the afternoon, his attention was called to a disturbance in the day room. He went down and found the prisoner causing great confusion amongst the other lodgers, and he would not be still. He told him he must either be quiet or he should be obliged to turn him out. He had no sooner turned his back than the disturbance was renewed, and the prisoner was once more told that, unless he would be satel quietly, he would be put out. The prisoner then said if he had to go out, he would pay Mr. Priestley before he went out, at the same time striking him in the face with his fist. His mouth was cut, and he had not been able to masticate any food since. The prisoner was not perfectly sober. — The Bench said it was a shameful attack, and sentenced the prisoner to the House of Correction for one month. — William Barratt, mechanic, a stranger, was charged with being disorderly at the Model Lodging House. Police Constable Crowther stated that between twelve and one o'clock on Sunday midnight, he was called upon to remove the defendant, who was creating a noise in his sleeping apartment. The prisoner, Wo was drunk behaved in a violent manner, and twisted the officer's thumb to that degree that he had not been able to use it since. — The prisoner begged hard to be forgiven, and allowed to join his wife and two children, who he said were at Ashton-under-lyne, was fined 5s. and expenses (total, 13s.); or go to prison for seven days.

Serious Assault upon Police Officers in April Last

Serious Assault upon Police Officers in April Last.-another mischievous character, named Patrick M'guire, one of the "small gang," was charged with unlawfully assaulting Police Constable Ianson, of the borough force, on the 2nd of April last. — Defendant: The charge is true. — On the 2nd April Ianson, with Acting-sergeant Standish, went to apprehend John M'cabe, under a warrant, and found him ata house in the upper part of the town. While they were bringing him down to the police st ition, the prisoner, in conjunction with several others, came to the rescue of M'cabe. Five or six stood at the to» of the stairs, with drawn knives, and declared that, if they did not take off the "snaps," they would run them through. They refused to take off the " snaps,' and, while Standish was struggling with M'cabe, Ianson went to the others to try to keep them down. They got into the street, and there M'guire began to kick him, both on the head and legs, until blood came out of his head, nose, and ears. They were run into a cellar, and there jumped upon ; and they were hardly able to walk out. The prisoner had been out of the town ever since. Ianson was under a doctor for several days, and also unfit for duty. — Prisoner: I have nothing to say, only that there were no knives. — Acting-Sergeant Standish, in answer to the Bench, stated that M'cabe had been committed for two months for breaking a man'sarm. He saw M'guire draw a knife. — The prisoner, who reiterated that he never used a knife to anybody in his life, was fined (the Bench considering it a brutal assault) £4 7s. 7d. and costs, amounting altogether to £5; or the alternative of two months' imprisonment, with hard labour, — Prisoner: All I have to say is, they have sworn false. I never saw such oaths in my life.

Thursday

On the Bench: J. Hirst and L. R. Starkey, Esq,

Assaulting a Woman

Assaulting a Woman. — John Robertson, tailor, &c., was charged with assaulting a married woman named Catherine M'grath, on the 3lst December. It seems the complainant bought a top coat for her husband from the defendant, and the man with whom she bargained agreed to take the garment back if it did not fit. The coat, she allege', did not fit her husband, and, on the last day of the old year she returned it. Mr. Robertson accused her of having had the coat in pawn, and refused to allow it to be exchanged, saying they did not take mens measure twice. She retorted "You have your coat and I have my money." She turned round to go out, and he then raised his foot and gave her a kick behind, driving her to the back of the door ; and kicking her again on the thigh. Three men tovk hold of him, and told him not to use her in such a manner. She could hardly go about for two or three days owing to the way ia which he kicked her. — Mr. Robertson, in defence, stated that the complainant, after having had the coat ten days, from the 2ist to the 31st, brought it back in a filthy state. It had evidently been in pawn, and it was infested with vermin. The complainant began to use abusive language, and he pushed her out of the house, but did not strike her. — A penalty of 2s. 6d. was inflicted (total with costs, 11s. 6d.)

A Woman Charged with Robbing a Man of £10

A Woman Charged with Robbing a Man of £10, — Maria Woolley, a woman of ill repute, was cha ged with stealing ten sovereigns and a half from the person of James Haigh, an aged man, a shoemaker, residing at Moldgreen. The prosecutor stated that, on Saturday night, he left home to come to Huddersfield about seven o'clock. Gn coming up King Street he met the prisoner. She appeared to be annoying everybody she met; and he followed her to Bradley Street corner. She spoke to him, and he said he wanted to have nothing to do with her. She then turned into Castlegate, and he went to a urinal, where the prisoner came up, placed her hand in his righthand trousers pocket, and abstracted the money. A man came up and asked him a question, during which time the woman got away. In consequence of communicating with the police, he went to the Lads at Home beerhouse, and pointed out the prisoner amongst three other women as the woman who had robbed him of his money. — Inspector White said, on Monday morning, he apprehended the priscner, who, on being charged with the theft, replied, "It is not true. I know nothing at all about it." He had seen the prisoner going about the streets as a prostitute, accompanied by a man.- — Mr. J. I. Freeman, who defended, pleaded that it was a case of mistaken identity. In reply to the Bench, the inspector stated that only 3s. Od. in money was found upon the prisoner, who was discharged, the Bench being of opinion that no jury would convict in such a case.

The Duke of York in Hot Water

The Duke of York in Hot Water. — Sarah Marshall, landlady of the Duke of York, Ramsden Street, was charged with keeping her house open during prohibited hours. — Police Constable Bridges stated that, on Saturday night, he visited the defendant's house at ten minutes past twelve o'clock, and found it full of people. He told the landlady what time it was; but she did not seem to take any notice. He went out, and visited the house again at sixteen minutes past twelve o'clock. There were about twenty people inside ; and in another little room there were also some men and prostitutes, and glasses of beer on the table. There were some gentlemen in the place where the liquors were filled, and the landlady was selling cigars to them. — Mr. Superintendent Withers: It is New Year's time. — Richard Best, who was passing at the time, looked at the officer's watch at sixteen minutes past twelve o'clock. The door of the house was then open, and he could see people inside. — The son-inlaw of the landlady said nothing was filled after four minutes before twelve o'clock ; but Bridges asserted that he saw something filled at ten minutes past twelve o'clock. — The representative of the landlady said there were five rooms in which company were accommodated, and it was impossible to get people out all at once. — Inspector Townend, on being called, said the house had not been so well conducted. It was a place where a number of prostitutes were harboured. — -The Bench inflicted a penalty of 10s., and remarked that, if the house had borne a good character, most likely the present offence would have been overlooked.

Resisting a Police Officer

Resisting a Police Officer. — Alice Hartley, a young woman, was charged with being drunk in Ramsden Street on the 7th inst., and Edward Hartley, husband of the prisoner, and Christopher Walker, King's Mill Bridge, were charged with assaulting Police Constable Bridges when in the execution of his duty. Bridges stated that, while on duty in Ramsden Street, about half-past eleven o'clock on Tuesday night, his attention was drawn to the woman. There was a crowd of people round her, she had been rolled in the sludge, she was bleeding from the head, and was beastly drunk and incapable. The husband was dragging her in the street and kicking her, and they could not take her away. The officer found it necessary to take the woman to the police station ; and, in doing so, he was interfered with by the male prisoners. The female prisoner struck him twice on the face. Sergeant Mellor said he knew nothing about the resisting of the officer; but the man Hartley was drunk. Walker: I never interfered with the officer at all, but simply went to the police station to ask if Edward Hartley was there. The bench thought the male prisoners ought to bave been charged with drunkenness. Mr. Superintendent Withers : They were not making a disturbance, that was the reason why they were not charged with drunkenness. Inanswer to enquiries by the Bench, it transpired that Hartley, who was travelling in search of work, had come to Huddersfield from Halifax, and they ought to have gone to Manchester but for this occurrence. Walker reiterated that he never interfered with Bridges at all. Seeing "this lady" lying down, he simply asked the officer to get her up. The prisoner Walker, it was stated by Inspector White, was convicted twelve months since of assaulting an officer in a similar way. The female was fined 5s. and costs, (total, 13s.) ; and the two men were discharged.

Harbouring Notorious Characters

Harbouring Notorious Characters. — Alfred Healey, keeper of the Lads at Home beerhouse, Castlegate, was charged with not maintaining good order and rule in his house. — Mr. Superintendent Withers stated that defendent himself did not appear, but sent a representative, John Healey, who, he was informed, had been convicted of felony. — Mr. J. I. Freeman (who defended): Well that is going beyond the limits even of the Improvement Commissioners. — Mr. Laycock (magistrates' clerk): It is not worth while stating those things. — Mr. J. Hirst said, after the case had been gone into, the bench would inquire into the antecedents of the persons. — Mr. Withers stated that the defendant was charged with knowingly permitting notorious characters to assemble in his house. The officers found three prostitutes and two suspicious characters in the house, between 12 and one o'clock in the morning, although the defendant was cautioned against harbouring three of the parties two months ago. One of the women, Woolley, had been brought up on a charge of felony that morning. — Mr. Freeman: And the case was dismissed. — At one o'clock on Sunday morning, it appeared, Inspector White and Sub-inspector Hayes, visited the house, and, after five minutes, were admitted by John Healey, the manager. They heard parties hurrying too and fro in the upper room. Healey refused to admit them without the production of a warrant, but ultimately they entered. In a back room there were two beds containing four men; in another room there were two beds, two females being in one, and one female in the other. Two of the men in the back room were accomplices of the females. Two months ago the parties were staying at the house; but they disappeared after White and Moore had cautioned the landlord. They came back a fortnight ago, and had been staying at the house ever since. Hayes said he knew one of the women, Maria Wheatman, to be a prostitute, and John Healey a convicted thief. The rest he did not know. — Police Constable Whelan, market inspector, saw the two women, Wheatman and Woolley, following a drunken man on Saturday night, with the two men a short distance away, and threatened to lock them up. — Mr Freeman urged that good order and rule was being kept in the house, and therefore the case ought to be dismissed. — After retiring for a short time, Mr. Starkey said he and Mr. Hirst entertained different opinions on the matter, and, therefore, there would be no ecision.


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