Henry De Silva, 1893

Below also see: Hendrick Silva, 1895

The Riverine Grazier, Tue 24 Jan 1893 ¹

THE RIVERINE CARRIES’
UNION.
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…
    An Indian, named Henry De Silva, was charged at the [Hay] police court on Monday with an offence against decency. Constable Langsford arrested accused at the Woolpack Hotel on Saturday, in consequence of a charge which had been preferred against him by a young woman. Constable Thorncroft stated that the female referred to identified accused at the lock-up, where he was placed with three other Indians. Miss Horne, domestic servant, in the employ of Mr RC McKinney, stated that about nine o’clock on Friday night the accused was in Simpson-street, where he committed the offence under circumstances of the grossest character. The bench, the PM and Mr NJ Trevena, fined accused £10, in default, two month’s imprisonment. Accused said he had just come from Narandera [sic], and only had 2s 8d, whereupon he was removed to the gaol.

 

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Hendrick Silva, 1895

The Dubbo Liberal and Macquarie Advocate, Wed 5 Jun 1895 ²

DUBBO POLICE COURT.
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Monday, June 3rd.
————
(Before Mr MS Love, PM.)
————

…

(Before Messrs MS Love, PM, and
RG Dulhunty, JP.)

    Henry Silva, a Cingalese, was charged with lewdness. The case was heard in the Police Magistrate’s private room, and evidence was tendered of gross behaviour on the part of accused before a number of school children. Accused was committed to take his trial at Wellington on the 28th inst.

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The Dubbo Liberal and Macquarie Advocate, Wed 24 Jul 1895 ³

DUBBO QUARTER SESSIONS.
———
Monday, July 22.
(Before Judge Docker.)

HIS HONOR was attended by Mr GH Taylor, JP, Deputy Sheriff.
    Mr AB Shand prosecuted for the Crown.
…

LEWDNESS.

    Hendrick Silva, a Cingalese, was indicted on a charge of lewdness in the presence of a number of school children at Dubbo on the 1st May last. The prisoner pleaded not guilty.

    The Crown Prosecutor briefly stated the facts of the case, and called witnesses in support of the charge.

    The accused gave evidence on his own behalf. He said he did not remember committing the offence, and offered as an excuse that he was drunk at the time. In cross-examination prisoner admitted that he had been convicted of similar offences at Hay and Cobar.

    The accused was found guilty and remanded for sentence.
…

Tuesday, July 23.

…

SENTENCES.

…
    Hendrick Silva, found guilty of lewdness, submitted a written statement to his Honor asking for lenient treatment. Two pervious convictions on a similar charge were recorded against the prisoner. His Honor said that in his opinion a good sound flogging would only meet the case, but he had doubts whether he could impose such a sentence. The prisoner’s conduct had been intolerable. The prisoner was sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment with hard labour in Bathurst gaol.

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Dubbo Dispatch and Wellington Independent, Fri 26 Jul 1895 ⁴

DUBBO QUARTER SESSIONS.
Monday, July 22.
(Before His Honor Judge Docker.)

THE court continued on Monday afternoon. Mr Shand prosecuted for the Crown, and Mr GH Taylor, JP, acted as Sheriff’s Deputy.

INDECENT EXPOSURE.

    Henrich [aka Hendrick] Silva, a Cingalese, was charged with indecent exposure, before some children on two occasions.

    Accused pleaded not guilty, and gave evidence on his own behalf saying he did not remember as he was drunk. In cross-examination, it was elicited that the accused had been found guilty at Cobar for the same offence.

    The jury retired and brought in a verdict of guilty, and prisoner was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment. 

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 Hendrick Silva, Gaol photo sheet ⁵

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Gaol Photo Sheet - Transcribed Details

No. 1041
Bathurst

Date when Portrait was taken: 27 August 1895

Name: Hendrick Silva

Native place: Ceylon Year of birth: 1864 Arrived       Ship: Unknown in Colony }   Year: ditto Trade or occupation previous to conviction  } Cook Religion: Buddhist Education, degree of: R & W Cingalese only Height: 5' 3¾" Weight     On committal: 152 in lbs     } On discharge: Colour of hair: Black Colour of eyes: Black

Marks or special features: Bracelet and lead tattooed on left wrist. Scar over left eye. Scar 1st finger left hand. Scar left side of head. Scar on right forearm. Scar right shin

(No. of previous Portrait ... )  PREVIOUS CONVICTIONS
Where and When				Offence.	Sentence
Hay PC Cobar PC Dubbo Q.S         *	23 26 22	1 10 7	1893   1894 1890	Wilfully expose his person Expose his person Indecent exposure...son	£10 or 2 months imprisonment. Discharged 22-3-1893 6 months HL 12 months HL
* The Dubbo Q.S. trial date entered on this photographic description sheet is incorrect – it should read 22 Jul 1894.

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¹     The Riverine Grazier, Tue 24 Jan 1893, p. 2.

²     The Dubbo Liberal and Macquarie Advocate, Wed 5 Jun 1895, p. 2.

³     The Dubbo Liberal and Macquarie Advocate, Wed 24 Jul 1895, p. 2.

⁴     Dubbo Dispatch and Wellington Independent, Fri 26 Jul 1895, p. 4.

⁵     SRNSW: NRS1998, [3/5959], Bathurst Gaol photographic description book, 1874-1930, No.1041, p. 179, R5085.

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