VICTOR Wells, of Redditch, a well-known character, was charged with damaging a clock to the amount of 2s, the property of Percy William Sealey, a watchmaker and jeweller of Evesham Street, Redditch, on January 5.

Prosecutor stated that at midnight on the night in question he saw the prisoner standing on the doorstep of the shop, apparently listening. The prisoner went into the road, picked up a stone and threw it at the clock, which was fixed above the door of the shop.

He had thrown one at the church clock and the also at the witness' clock, and intended on "putting one through a number of others". The defendant said that some of the clocks had "told him to go in and others had told him to go out".

Police constable Green, who arrested the prisoner, said prisoner told him that the clock annoyed him, and he threw a stone at it.

Prisoner was unable to pay £1 fine, damages of 2s and costs of 6s and was removed in custody for a month.

The chairman observed that the certificate of the doctor who examined the prisoner stated he was responsible for the actions but weak of mind. If prisoner went to gaol, the chairman said, the authorities might do something to him.

Superintendent Hayes said that if the prison was found to be a fit candidate for an asylum he would be sent there from prison.