Feilding S.M. Court.

Feilding Star, Volume XV, Issue 267, 19 March 1894, Page 2

Feilding S.M. Court.

THIS DAY. (Before Messrs Sherwill and Carthew, J.P.'s.) Thomas Jones and John Sangster were charged by the police with having committed a breach of the peace at Birmingham on Wednesday, March 14th. Mr Sandilands appeared for defendants, and Constable Tuohy conducted the case for the prosecution. Edwin Sanderaan, deposed : Was a solicitor residing at Birmingham, and was Secretary to the Birmingham Town Hall Company ; was sent for about 11 o'clock to go to the Hall, in the interests of the Company, as a •stone had been thrown through the window, and " crackers " were also thrown in ; the committee of the dance (which was being held at the time) gave him the names of nine persons who were said to have been the cause of the disturbance ; saw that a stone was thrown through the window ; did I not see accused take an active part. Cross-examined : There might have been a dozen other persons present. C. Grantham deposed: Knew defendants, who were present on the night in question ; was inside the porch of the Hall at the time the fireworks and flour were thrown ; saw a bag in Sihgster's hand ; was in the porch when the stone was thrown in ; had it struck the lamp it would prob ably have caused a fire ; there was some obscene language used ; knew the ofience was committed, but could not say by whom. By the Bench : Did not see defendants commit the oft'ence. A. J. Asliton, deposed : Was ;it the Hall between 10.30 and 1 2 o'clock on the evening of the 11th instant: saw both defendants there; a bundle of lighted crackers was thrown into the Hall, but could not say who threw them. Mr Sandiiands asked the Bench to dismiss the case without hearing the defence, as the evidence for the prosecution was so weak. The Bench dismissed the cases, but warned the defendants that they (the Bench) were determined to put down larrikinism and should a conviction be obtained the guilty persons would be severely punished. The Court then rose.