Below also see: Billy Wentworth, 1901,
Billy Wentworth, 1903,
Billy Wentworth, 1904 – Indecent assault,
Billy Wentworth, 1907

 

The Daily Telegraph, Fri 7 Dec 1894 ¹

COMMITTED FOR TRIAL.

    At the Glebe Court yesterday, before Mr Fisher, SM, a blackfellow, known as Billy Winford, (25), [aka Billy Wentworth] was committed for trial charged with committing an unnatural offence.

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The Daily Telegraph, Sat 26 Jan 1895 ²

METROPOLITAN QUARTER SESSIONS.
————

    Following is the list of cases to be held at the Metropolitan Quarter Sessions, opening at Darlinghurst on Monday:—James Agnes, illegally pawning; John Cronin, false pretences; John Henry Bell, illegally pawning; Billy Winford, sodomy;

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The Sydney Morning Herald, Sat 26 Jan 1895 ³

LAW NOTICES.
———◦———

…

QUARTER SESSIONS CASES.

The sittings of the Metropolitan Court of Quarter Sessions will be opened at Darlinghurst on Monday, under the presidency of Acting Judge Rogers. The following cases are down for trial:—James Hynes alias Dr James, illegally pawning (four charges); John Cronin, false pretences; John Henry Bell, illegally pawning; Billy Winford, unnatural offence; Alfred Campbell, cattle-stealing; John J Bartholomew, forgery and uttering (two charges); George Johnson, breaking and entering; Esther Elizabeth Kirkett, concealment of birth; W Harris, robbery; Thomas Dunne and W Frazer, robbery with violence; W Edwards, stealing from the person; Alexander John Perkins, embezzlement; Michael Young, horse stealing, (2) receiving; Horace Ritchie and George Murray, attempted false pretences; William Byrnes, inflicting grievous bodily harm; Robert Gray and Hugh Wilson, larceny; Alfred Edwin Knibbs, perjury; James William Reid, shooting with intent, (2) assault; James Bennett Moore, false pretences; Richard Francis Gill, illegally pawning; Charles Jayter, burglary and larceny; James Kenney, shooting with intent; Michael Kelly, burglary; Maud Brown, stealing in a dwelling; Cuthbert McDonald, assault on a girl; George Marshall, uttering counterfeit coin, (2) having counterfeit coin in his possession (two charges); Charles Smith, stealing a letter sent by post; Ah Mow, maliciously wounding, (2) assault; John Walsh, bigamy; William Maguire, John Cooper and Patrick Hannon, garroting, (2) assault and robbery; Tom Loder, stealing in a dwelling; Sydney Kingston, maliciously wounding; Margaret Ryan, Mary Lee, and May Vaughan, concealment of birth; Norman Adolphe, uttering counterfeit coin; Ann Joy, keeping a disorderly house; Robert Marshall or King, garroting, (2) robbery with violence; Charles Boult, assault on a girl (two charges); Caroline Charters, stealing in a dwelling; Henry Birch, being in possession of coining tools and (2) counterfeit coins; William Albert Notting, inflicting grievous bodily harm; William Hodgson, garroting; Philip McGrory, maliciously injuring property; Walter Rosewarne, horse-stealing; and Elizabeth Annie O’Callaghan, forgery.

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The Australian Star, Wed 30 Jan 1895 ⁴

CHARGE AGAINST AN
ABORIGINAL.
———◦———

    Billy Winford, an aboriginal, was indicted at the Darlinghurst Sessions to day for criminal assault at the Glebe. The prisoner, who was defended by Mr Nugent Robertson (instructed by Mr WJ Taylor), was found guilty and was sentenced by his Honor Acting-Judge Rogers to 18 months’ imprisonment.

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The Daily Telegraph, Wed 30 Jan 1895 ⁵

METROPOLITAN QUARTER SESSIONS.
Tuesday, January 29.
(Before Acting-Judge Rogers.)

    Mr WL Merewether prosecuted on behalf of the Crown.
…

INDECENT ASSAULT.

    Billy Winford, an aborigine, was charged with having committed an indecent assault. He was defended by Mr Nugent Robertson (instructed by Mr Taylor). After hearing the evidence, the addresses of counsel, and his Honor’s summing up, the jury found a verdict of guilty, and the prisoner was sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment.

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Evening News, Wed 30 Jan 1895 ⁶

QUARTER SESSIONS.
————
CHARGE OF ASSAULT.
————

    An aboriginal named Billy Winford was convicted at the sessions yesterday on a charge of having at the Glebe on November 28 assaulted a boy named John White and sentenced to eighteen months’ hard labor.

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Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate, Wed 30 Jan 1895 ⁷

PRISONERS SENTENCED.
———◦———

Sydney, Tuesday.

sentence was passed by acting-Judge Rogers at the Quarter Sessions to-day on the following prisoners:—
…
    Billy Winford, an aboriginal, was convicted on a charge of having at the Glebe on November 28 assaulted a boy named John White, and sentenced to 18 months’ hard labour.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Sydney Morning Herald, Wed 30 Jan 1895 ⁸

METROPOLITAN QUARTER SESSIONS.
Tuesday.
(Before his Honor Acting-Judge Rogers and a jury.)

    Mr WL Merewether prosecuted for the Crown.
…

ASSAULT.

    Billy Winford, an aboriginal, was arraigned for having unlawfully assaulted John White, at the Glebe, on 28th November. Prisoner was defended by Mr Nugent Robertson, instructed by Mr Taylor. The jury returned a verdict of guilty, and the prisoner was sentenced to 18 months’ hard labour.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Billy Winford, Gaol photo sheet  ⁹ 

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Gaol Photo Sheet - Transcribed Details

No. 6209

Date when Portrait was taken: 7-12-1894

Name: Billy Winford
(aka “Bluey”, Billy Wentworth)

Native place: BC Shoalhaven Year of birth: 1870 Arrived       Ship: — in Colony }   Year: — Trade or occupation previous to conviction  } Laborer Religion: C of Eng Education, degree of: Nil Height: 5' 5" Weight     On committal: 147 in lbs     } On discharge: Colour of hair: Black Colour of eyes: Brown

Marks or special features: Anchor on left forearm. Large wound on right wrist

(No. of previous Portrait ... )  PREVIOUS CONVICTIONS
Where and When				Offence.	Sentence
Nth Sydney PO CPO ditto Redfern PO Sydney Q.S Paddington PC Redfern PC	18   9   4 19 29 17 19	5 10 11 11   1   4   1	1893 1893 1893 1894 1895 1901 1903	Drunk and disorderly ditto ditto ditto Indecent assault on a male person Throw stones Indecent language	7 days HL 3 days HL 4 days HL 48 hours C 18 months HL 5/- or 24 hours HL £1 or 7 days

 

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Billy Wentworth, 1901

 

The Daily Telegraph, Tue 29 Oct 1901 ¹⁰

POLICE COURTS.
————
THE COLOR LINE.

    At the Central Court. Thomas Davis, 40, a carpenter, who ignored the color line and supplied rum to an aboriginal, by name of Billy Wentworth, was fined 10s, with the alternative of four days’ imprisonment.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Evening News, Tue 29 Oct 1901 ¹¹

BLACKFELLOWS’ RUM.
————

    A man named Thomas Davis, 40, carpenter, was charged yesterday at the Central Police Court with having supplied liquor, to wit rum, to an aboriginal native of New South Wales, named Billy Wentworth.

    Constable McAtamney stated that on Saturday he saw Davis come out of a hotel with a soda-water bottle half filled with rum. He walked away, and beckoned Billy Wentworth to follow him. Billy did so with considerable alacrity, when Davis handed him the bottle, and the blackfellow took a long “swig” at it.

    Yesterday Davis pleaded “guilty through ignorance,” adding that he did not know the law prevented him from entertaining the native race. He was fined 10s, in default four days’ gaol.

 

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Billy Wentworth, 1903

 

The Australian Star, Wed 4 Feb 1903 ¹²

“BILLY” IN COURT.
———◦———

    “Billy” Wentworth, aged 36, of no occupation, an aboriginal “as black as the ace of spades,” and who spoke English “like a toff,” made a respectful bow from the dock to the bench at the Central Police Court to-day. He was charged by Senior-constable O’Dea and Constable McAtamney with stealing a metal watch, value 12s-6d, the property of James McIliwraith, on the 31st ult. Billy was remanded till the 14th inst.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Australian Star, Wed 11 Feb 1903 ¹³

“BOOMERANG’S” THEFT.
———◦———

    An aboriginal named Billy Wentworth, aged 36, of no occupation, known also about the city as “Boomerang,” “Blacky,” and “Bluey,” pleaded guilty at the Central Court yesterday to stealing a metal watch from the stall of James McIlwraith, in Paddy’s Market, on the 31st ult.

    The case was proved by McIlwraith (dealer), of 40 Buckingham-street, city; John Scowen, painter, of Abercrombie-street, Redfern; and Constable McAtamney.

    Mr. Isaacs, sentenced Billy to six months’ hard labour, the accused having been convicted many times before of drunkenness, and stealing.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Daily Telegraph, Wed 11 Feb 1903 ¹⁴

BILLY BOLTED.
————

    Billy Wentworth, 36, an aboriginal, was charged at the Central Court, yesterday, with stealing a metal watch, value 12s 6d, the property of James McIlwraith, on 31st ultimo. The evidence against the accused was that the owner of the watch, who is a dealer, living at 48 Buckingham street, was at Belmore Markets ¹⁵ on 31st ultimo. He had a small stall there, and the watch was placed upon it. Accused came up to the stall with a white man. The latter lifted the watch up and asked the price of it. He then laid it down, and accused snatched it up, and ran away towards Pitt-street. Accused was also seen rushing out of the markets by John Scowen, a resident of Abercrombie-street. Constable McAtamney arrested him on the 3rd instant. The accused, who acknowledged his crime, was sentenced to six months hard labour There was a list of previous convictions against him, for one of which he was sentenced to eighteen months’ hard labour.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Evening News, Wed 11 Feb 1903 ¹⁶

BILLY BOLTED.
————

    Billy Wentworth, 36, an aboriginal, was charged at the Central Court, yesterday, with stealing a metal watch, value 12s-6d, the property of James McIlwraith, on 31st ultimo. The evidence against the accused was that the owner of the watch, who is a dealer, living at 48 Buckingham street, was at Belmore Markets on 31st ultimo. He had a small stall there, and the watch was placed upon it. Accused came up to the stall with a white man. The latter lifted the watch up and asked the price of it. He then laid it down, and accused snatched it up, and ran away towards Pitt-street.

    Accused was also seen rushing out of the markets by John Scowen, a resident of Abercrombie-street. Constable McAtamney arrested him on the 3rd instant. The accused, who acknowledged his crime, was sentenced to six months’ hard labour There was a list of previous convictions against him, for one of which he was sentenced to eighteen months’ hard labour.

 

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Billy Wentworth, 1904

 

    [Unfortunately no newspaper reports could be located for Wentworth’s 1904 indecent assault trial.]

 

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Billy Wentworth, 1907

 

The Australian Star, Thu 20 Jun 1907 ¹⁷

FRIGHTENED THE WOMEN
———◦———

    Billy Wentworth, an Australian aboriginal, was charged at the Central Police Court to-day with having been drunk and disorderly in Devonshire-street yesterday at noon.

    Billy, it was explained by Constable Shalier, in referring to the “disorderly” portion of his inebriety, put through a time by frightening women in a tram waiting-room, a species of recreation which appeared to give him infinite comfort and satisfaction of mind.

    Billy was fined 20s, or in default a week in gaol.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Evening News, Thu 20 Jun 1907 ¹⁸

POISONED THE HORSES.
————

    ORANGE, Thursday. — At the quarter sessions Anthony Hayes was found guilty on the charge that he did on February 24, last at Cudal maliciously kill two geldings, the property of Henry Kidd, of Cudal. The evidence was that the animals had eaten apples containing strychnine. The accused was sentenced to two years’ hard labor in Bathurst Gaol.

    Free stereoscopes. — Full particulars of the “Town and Country Journal’s” free stereoscope offer are published in this week’s “Town and Country Journal,” now ready, price 6d.

    At Glebe Police Court this morning, George Albert Ashton, or Smith, 20, wicker worker, was fined £2 for assaulting Constable Walter while in custody on Tuesday.

    Liverpool Council has resolved that all laborers be required to work 50 hours per week, and that all mechanics employed be paid the recognised pay per day and their hours be 48 pet week.

    An aboriginal named “Billy Wentworth” was fined £1 at the Central Court this morning for having been drunk and disorderly in Devonshire-street at midday on Wednesday. Constable Shailer explained that the accused was frightening women in a tram waiting-room.

 

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¹     The Daily Telegraph, (Syd, NSW), Fri 7 Dec 1894, p. 2.

²     The Daily Telegraph, (Syd, NSW), Sat 26 Jan 1895, p. 12. Emphasis added.

³     The Sydney Morning Herald, Sat 26 Jan 1895, p. 7. Emphasis added.

⁴     The Australian Star, (Syd, NSW), Wed 30 Jan 1895, p. 6.

⁵     The Daily Telegraph, Wed 30 Jan 1895, p. 3.

⁶     Evening News, (Sydney, NSW), Wed 30 Jan 1895, p. 5.

⁷     Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate, (NSW), Wed 30 Jan 1895, p. 7 .

⁸     The Sydney Morning Herald, Wed 30 Jan 1895, p. 7.

⁹     SRNSW: NRS2138, [3/6057], Darlinghurst Gaol photographic description book, 1894-1895, No.6209, p. 249, R5105.

¹⁰   The Daily Telegraph, (Syd, NSW), Tue 29 Oct 1901, p. 8. Emphasis added.

¹¹   Evening News, (Syd, NSW), Tue 29 Oct 1901, p. 3. Emphasis added.

¹²   The Australian Star, (Syd, NSW), Wed 4 Feb 1903, p. 4.

¹³   The Australian Star, (Syd, NSW), Wed 11 Feb 1903, p. 3. Emphasis added.

¹⁴   The Daily Telegraph, (Syd, NSW), Wed 11 Feb 1903, p. 3.

¹⁵   For a detailed history, and a photo and description of the “Father” of the Belmore Markets, see: Evening News, (Syd, NSW), Sat 24 Apr 1909, p. 3.

¹⁶   Evening News, (Syd, NSW), Wed 11 Feb 1903, p. 3.

¹⁷   The Australian Star, (Syd, NSW), Thu 20 Jun 1907, p. 1.

¹⁸   Evening News, (Syd, NSW), Thu 20 Jun 1907, p. 5. Emphasis added.

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