Window breaking in Headington Quarry, 1896
Newspaper report, 28 November 1896:
BULLINGDON PETTY SESSIONS
County Hall. — Saturday — before the Chairman (Sir William Anson), Messrs M. U. Weyland and F. H. Alden
Wholesale Window Breaking — Charles Currell, George Currell, George Morris, Albert Morris, Edward Horwood, John Fowler and Albert Wharton, boys, of Headington, and Frederick Kempton, of Cowley St. John, were summoned for wilfully damaging certain glass windows, to the amount of £1 7s, the property of J. Hardie McLean, on November 22nd. — The complainant said 27 windows were broken and the damage committed amounted to £1 7s. — William Trafford, a boy, said he saw all the defendants but two (Charles Currell and Albert Morris) throw stones at Mr. McLean’s house on Sunday afternoon. He was in company with defendants when the damage was done. — The two boys, George Currell and Albert Morris, who pleaded not guilty, and against whom there was no evidence, were discharged. — Mr McLean asked the Bench to deal leniently with the boys, as he merely wished the case to be a warning to them and others. — The defendants were fined 5s. each, including costs. — Charles Currell and George Morris were also summoned for damaging glass windows at Headington Quarry School, to the amount of £1 12s., the property of the Rev. Charles Frederick Johnson, on November 21st. — Albert Wharton stated that he saw both defendants throw several times at the windows, of which they broke about 20. George Morris threw the first stone and witness threw twice. — The schoolmaster (Mr Bickley) said the damage was discovered on Sunday. There were 64 panes of glass broken, but one stone striking the lead work might break two or three. He was surprised to see Currell in that position as he had been one of the best boys in the school. Since the summonses were issued Mr Johnson had had an offer to repair the whole of the windows for 15s. — Defendants were ordered to pay 10s. each, including costs, and damage, and Wharton was cautioned.
Explanatory note: Charles and George Currell (or Currill) were the second and third sons of George and Mary Ann Currill. They lived over the family shop in the London Road, which was opposite the workhouse (at the present Sharp & Howse at Nos. 299/301). Their father, who had been a boot and shoe-maker, died at the age of 38 just three months before this incident. Albert Wharton was then six, living in Quarry with his parents John (a Quarry labourer) and Sarah, and his five brothers and sisters. Edward Horwood, then eight, lived in one of the Windmill Cottages on Windmill Road with his father and a housekeeper.