Some history on Hurst Street in Birmingham in the County of Warwickshire

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"Thomas Rayworth [23], fishmonger, Bromsgrove Street, was charged with violently assaulting Thomas Atkins, also a fishmonger, living at No.10 Congreve Street. Mr. Francis appeared for the prisoner, and Mr. Cheston for the defence. On Thursday afternoon Atkins, who had been to the Corporation Baths, in Kent Street, was returning along Hurst Street, when he met the prisoner, who said, "What are you doing down here? You are after my wife again." Before he had time to reply Rayworth struck him across the face with a ginger beer bottle, and followed up the attack by a vigorous application of his "bunch-of-fives." The prosecutor was knocked down again, and his injuries were so serious as to render incumbent his removal to the General Hospital. With reference to the imputation of "coming after the wife," Atkins solemnly averred that he had not seen the lady for eight or nine months. In answer to Mr. Cheston, he said he did not know where the prisoner lived, but he knew he had summoned him five or six months ago for an assault. Mr. Cheston : Was it not distinctly proved on that occasion that you had committed adultery with this woman? I have no recollections of it. In cross-examination did you not admit having taken her to a house of ill-fame twice? No, I did not. The policeman who arrested the prisoner said he confessed to having assaulted the prosecutor in the manner stated, and professed sorrow for what he had done. Mr. Cheston, for the defence, said he could not deny that his client had struck the man with the ginger beer bottle, but in mitigation of the punishment, he urged the Bench to take into consideration the gross provocation which he had received. Some time ago he was summoned for beating the prosecutor, and fined a light penalty. In consequence of the revelations made on that occasion he sold up his home and separated from his wife. Some time back a gentleman feeling interested in the case, interposed his good offices, and succeeded in bringing the pair together again, when peace and harmony was restored. But the demon jealousy was once more aroused in the husband's breast on discovering the man, whom he believed to be the seducer of his wife hanging about the house, and gazing intently at the windows. It was on one of these visits that the watchful eye of Atkins detected Rayworth, whom he followed, and in the heat of the moment, and believing that he was "hankering after his wife again," he struck him a blow. The story of the baths he imagined and was a pure invention; he was there for the purpose of meeting Mrs. Atkins. A woman with whom the prisoner lives was called, and affirmed that she never saw the prosecutor in the vicinity of her house. The Mayor : Atkins, we consider this a very serious assault, and if we did not believe that you have had some little ground some time back for this illusions about your wife's relations with the prosecutor, we should have sent you to prison without the option of paying a fine. This time we fine you £3 and costs, or six weeks' imprisonment."
"A Desperate Assault"
Birmingham Mail : June 10th 1871 Page 2

"At the Birmingham Police Court, yesterday, before Messrs. Bunce and W. H. Hart, William Farmer and John Farmer, of Centre Row, and Thomas Graley and Joseph Richards, Robin Hood Yard, Inge Street, were summoned for taking part in an affray in Hurst Street, to the terror and disturbance of citizens; and to show cause why they should not find sureties to keep the peace. John Farmer did not appear. Police Constable I. Cohen [E19] said that at about twenty-five minutes to three o'clock on Sunday, the 29th March, he was standing near Thorpe Street when he saw William Farmer and another man quarrelling. Richards then came up, and commenced to fight with Farmer, who produced a loaded stick from his pocket. Graley then appeared on the scene. He produced a buckle-ended belt, and commenced fighting with one of the Farmers. The fight lasted about five minutes, and before the finish a great crowd had collected. Witness, who was in plain clothes, blew his whistle and several officers came, but as soon as the combatants saw the uniforms they went off down Ladywell Walk. Mr. King [assistant magistrates' clerk] : Did you try to prevent them fighting? Witness: No, it was no use in me trying. Witness further stated that Richards went off before the belt and stick were used. John William Jones, manager of the Criterion, said that he saw the disturbance outside the public house door. There were about one hundred and fifty persons gathered around, and an obstruction was caused. Mr. Bunce: So that no quiet passenger could go through without great difficulty? Witness: No, they would have to push their way through. Richards admitted fighting with his fists, Farmer said that he used the loaded stick to protect himself, and Graley said that someone threw him the belt to use after Farmer had endeavoured to hit him with the stick. Charles Price said that all the defendants lived in the locality of Hurst Street; and he thought that in the case of Graley and Farmer there was likely to be a renewal of the disturbance, as there was considerable animosity between the families. The row would have been renewed on Sunday last but for the presence of the police. Price also stated that Farmer had sustained three bad scalp wounds, which he had had dressed at the hospital. He there gave his wrong name, in order to mislead the police. Mr. Bunce: So that they can fight the matter out themselves? Price: Yes, sir. There were no convictions against Richards and Graley, but Farmer had appeared several times on summonses for assault. Mr. Bunce said that the Bench were determined to stop these disgraceful disturbances, and all the defendants would be bound over to keep the peace. Farmer would be bound over in £10., and would have to find a surety of £10. to keep the peace for six months, or in default of finding the surety to go to gaol for twenty-one days; and he would have to pay the costs or go to gaol for a further seven days. Graley and Richards, who were not so much to blame, would be bound over themselves in £10., and would have each to find a surety in £5. to keep the peace for six months, or go to gaol for twenty-one days; and pay the costs, or go to gaol for a further seven days. The Bench granted a warrant against John Farmer."
"Recent Disturbance at Hurst Street"
Birmingham Daily Post : April 7th 1891 Page 7.

"William Edward Mountford [38], was indicted for unlawfully wounding George Smith, a hawker, on May 10th. According to the evidence for the prosecution the parties lived in the same yard in Hurst Street, and on the Sunday night in question Smith was going into the court when he was set upon by a number of women and knocked down. Whilst they were beating him Mountford rushed out of his house with a knife in his hand, and shouting "I'll do the lot of you," stabbed prosecutor on the arm. Mountford alleged that prosecutor and some other men were knocking his father about, and that as Smith, had a poker in his hand, he picked up a rasp and struck him on the wrist to make him drop it. The prisoner was sentenced to eight months' hard labour."
"Story of a Hurst Street Disturbance"
Birmingham Daily Mail : July 3rd 1914 Page 3

"Arthur Lockley [32], tube drawer, pleaded not guilty to a charge of unlawfully wounding James Kirk on November 8th. Evidence was given that on the night mentioned the prisoner stabbed the prosecutor in the face, on the corner Hurst Street and Inge Street. He afterwards told Kirk's sister that he was very sorry. When arrested by Police-Constable Hillier prisoner, in reply to the charge, said there was a general fight, but there was no stabbing, and he "touched out" as well. The hearing was adjourned until tomorrow morning at 10.30.am."
"He Touched Out"
Birmingham Daily Mail : November 24th 1914 Page 3

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