On This Day, 16 November 1917

Birmingham Mail

Friday 16 November 1917

SCENE IN A BIRMINGHAM CLUB

THREE MEN CHARGED WITH WOUNDING

Thomas Turner, John Davis and William Greaves were today charged before the Birmingham Stipendiary  (Lord Ilkeston) with being concerned together with unlawfully wounding with intent to do grievous bodily harm to Henry Goodall, of 59, Shenston Road, and John Bromely 67, King’s Road, Erdington.

Detective-superintendent Burnett, in applying for a remand, said the men went to the Active Service Club in Martineau Street about 10 o’clock last night, just as the club was being closed, and created a disturbance. When asked to leave they refused to go. One of them put his back against the wall and assaulted Goodall and Bromley. Both men were very badly injured and had to be taken to the General Hospital to have their wounds attended to. Davis, who was severely injured in the struggle, was also conveyed to the institution and detained for the night. It was, he said, a very serious affray.

Prisoners, who were arrested by Detectives Price and Williamson, were remanded till Wednesday.

Mr. H. Willison, who appeared for prisoners, asked if they might be permitted to bail in order to prepare their defence.

Superintendent Burnett objected. They were very violent men, he said, and no good to themselves or anybody else. It was a properly constituted club and the prisoners gained admission by stealth.

Mr Willison: It is not quite correct that these men were no good to anybody. One of them was working on munitions at night.

Burnett: He was not working last night.

Bail was refused.