Benjamin Hicklin JP (11 November 1816 – 16 March 1909) was an English licensed carrier, farmer, solicitor and Borough Magistrate, who served as Mayor of Wolverhampton in 1859 and 1860.
The case centred on a Wolverhampton resident, metal broker Henry Scott, a Protestant activist, who was reselling anti-catholic pamphlets obtained from London.
The recorder overturned the order of the justices and directed that the pamphlets be returned to Scott, subject to the opinion of the Court of the Queen's Bench.
On 29 April the Court decided, "We have considered this matter, and we are of opinion that the judgment of the learned recorder must be reversed, and the decision of the magistrates affirmed.
[2] The court held that all material tending "to deprave and corrupt those whose minds are open to such immoral influences" was obscene, regardless of its artistic or literary merit.