The Sydney Morning Herald, Sat 22 Dec 1888 1
POLICE.
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Mr Johnson, SM, presided in the Charge Division of the CENTRAL POLICE yesterday.
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Wm Thomas Morris (19), waiter, was charged with committing an indecent assault upon James GM Spence, a boy aged five years and nine months. The accused was committed for trial at the next Court of Quarter Sessions; bail refused.
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The Daily Telegraph, Fri 1 Feb 1889 2
METROPOLITAN QUARTER SESSIONS.
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THURSDAY, JANUARY 31.
(Before Acting-Judge Fitzhardinge.)
Mr WL Merewether prosecuted on behalf of the Crown.
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ALLEGED UNNATURAL OFFENCE.
William Thos Morris, a youth, was arraigned upon a charge of attempting to commit an unnatural offence upon a little boy named James [GM] Spence. The jury returned a verdict of guilty, with a recommendation to mercy on account of the good character hitherto borne by the accused. Accused was sentenced to 12 months’ hard labor in Maitland Gaol. The accused asked that the sentence be increased to 18 months. The Judge replied that he had not passed sentence is a haphazard manner, but after due consideration.
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The Sydney Morning Herald, Fri 1 Feb 1889 3
METROPOLITAN QUARTER SESSIONS.
FRIDAY.
(Before his Honor Acting-Judge FIZHARDINGE.)
The sittings of the Metropolitan Court of Quarter Sessions were commenced yesterday, at the Courthouse, Darlinghurst. On taking his seat his Honor Acting-Judge Fitzhardinge administered to himself the judicial oath as chairman of the Court of Quarter Sessions.
Mr WL Merewether prosecuted on behalf of the Crown.
JURORS FINED.
The following were fined for non-attendance as jurors:—Frederick Stuart, cordial manufacturer, 8 Craigend-street; John Meeks, contractor, 176, Hereford-street, Glebe; Matthew Bayfield, grocer, 402, Oxford-street, Paddington.
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ALLEGED INDECENT ASSAULT.
William Thomas Morris appeared in answer to a charge of indecently assaulting a boy named James Spence, 6 years of age. The alleged offence was committed in December last in a cellar situate at the rear of Nos. 253 and 256, Pitt-street. The boy’s parents lived in Pitt-street, and the accused, who is quite a young man, was employed at an oyster saloon in the thoroughfare. The case to a large extent rested upon the evidence of the little boy- who stated what had occurred. The testimony of Dr Strong was to the effect that the boy had been rather seriously tampered with. When arrested and charged by Sergeant Murphy, the accused denied that he had committed the offence. Morris made a statement to the jury, which was in effect that he had not been seen in the cellar during the last six months. The jury found the prisoner guilty, but recommended him to mercy on account of his pervious good character. He was sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment with hard labour in Maitland gaol.
The following is a list of the cases set down for trial to-day:—James Harrison, James Kelly, Thomas Keating, and William Ella, assault with intent to rob; Annie Gardner and Elizabeth Ferry, larceny; Emily Miller, breaking and entering and stealing; Arthur James Bennett, embezzlement (three charges); John Norman, attempt to break and enter a dwelling-house with intent to steal; John Taylor, attempt to steal from the person; Jeremiah Toomey, stealing from the person.
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Evening News, Sat 2 Feb 1889 4
QUARTER SESSIONS.
————
(Before his Honor Acting Judge Fitzhardinge.)
Mr WL Merewether conducted the prosecutions on behalf of the Crown.
Absent Jurors.—John Meeks, — Bayfield, and F Stuart had their fines remitted. John Meeks was excused from further attendance.
Jurors Fined.—Frederick Stewart, John Meeks, and Matthew Bayfield.
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INDECENT ASSAULT.—Wm Thomas Morris pleaded not guilty to an indictment charging him with indecently assaulting a boy 6 years of age named James Spence. The alleged offence was committed in December last. After hearing the evidence of Dr Strong and the boy Spence, the jury found the prisoner guilty. And recommended him to mercy on account of previous good character. He was sentenced to twelve months’ hard labor.
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William Morris, Gaol photo sheet 5
![SRNSW: NRS2138, [3/6050], Darlinghurst Gaol photographic description book, 1888-1889, No. 4367, p. 117, R5103.](../../images/trials/1889-Morris-6050-gaol-photo-4367.jpg "SRNSW: NRS2138, [3/6050], Darlinghurst Gaol photographic description book, 1888-1889, No. 4367, p. 117, R5103.") |
Gaol Photo Sheet - Transcribed Details
No. 4367
Date when Portrait was taken: 22/12/1888
Name: William Morris
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Native place: London Year of birth: 1869 Arrived Ship: Glenesk Trade or occupation Religion: C of E Education, degree of: R&W Height: 5' 6" Weight On committal: 126 Colour of hair: Black Colour of eyes: Brown Marks or special features: Large white scar from vaccination with three small marks from same above, on left upper arm. Two scars from cuts below first finger of left hand inside |
Where and when tried: Sydney Q.S. Offence: Indecent assault on a male child Sentence: 12 months HL. Maitland Gaol Remarks: Recommended to mercy on account of his youth |
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(No. of previous Portrait ... ) PREVIOUS CONVICTIONS |
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| Where and When | Offence. | Sentence | |||
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Nil |
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1 The Sydney Morning Herald, Sat 22 Dec 1888, p. 8.
2 The Daily Telegraph, Fri 1 Feb 1889, p. 3.
3 The Sydney Morning Herald, Fri 1 Feb 1889, p. 11. Emphasis added.
4 Evening News, (Sydney, NSW), Sat 2 Feb 1889, p. 6. Emphasis added.
5 SRNSW: NRS2138, [3/6050], Darlinghurst Gaol photographic description book, 1888-1889, No. 4367, p. 117, R5103.