Samuel Thompson, 1899
Below see also: Samuel Thompson, 1904
The Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers’ Advocate, Sat 22 Apr 1899 1
RYDE.
————
…
At the Police Court.—At the Ryde Police Court on Tuesday, before Messrs R Hilliard and G Lovell, J’sP, Samuel Thompson, summoned by the police fort riotous behaviour, was fined 5s together with 4s 10d costs of court, or 24 hours imprisonment in default. He was allowed seven days in which to pay the fine.
Samuel Thompson, 1904
The Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers’ Advocate, Sat 19 Dec 1903 2
RYDE.
————
…
SIX DAYS’ SOLITARY.—At the Ryde Police Court on Friday, before Messrs J Forsyth and RT Sutton, J’sP, Samuel Thompson, aged 15, was brought up on remand charged with a serious offence, at Ryde, on the 8th inst. Mr Mark Williamson appeared for the accused. After hearing the evidence, the charge was altered by the Bench to that of common assault, and the accused being found guilty of that charge, was sentenced to six days’ confinement in the Ryde lock-up.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
The Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers’ Advocate, Sat 26 Dec 1903 3
MINISTER FOR JUSTICE MOVED.
In connection with the charge of indecent assault heard at the Ryde Police Court last week, and which was altered by the Bench to common assault, for which the accused (a youth named Thompson), was sentenced to six days’ imprisonment in the Ryde Lock-up, a complaint has been lodged by the father of the boy assaulted with the Minister for Justice. The complaint was, in effect, that undue leniency had been shown the accused by reducing the charge to one of common assault, and that practically a miscarriage of justice had taken place. The Minister has called upon all concerned for a report on the matter, including the local Justices who tried the case, the police, and others. The result is being looked forward to with some degree of interest.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
The Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers’ Advocate, Sat 30 Jan 1904 4
PARRAMATTA POLICE COURT.
————
Thursday, January 28.
(Before Mr TE MacNevin, SM.)
A RYDE CASE.
Samuel Thompson (15), arrested by warrant, was charged with having indecently assaulted Edward Rooke Jones, at Ryde.
The case had previously been before the Ryde Bench, who, however had reduced the charge to one of common assault. Jones father protested against this action to the Minister for Justice, who ordered that a fresh prosecution should proceed at Parramatta Court.
Mark Williamson (for the accused), pointed out that the defendant was being placed in jeopardy a second time for an offence for which he had already suffered punishment, viz six days imprisonment.
Mr WH Mant (prosecuting officer, Crown Law Office), who conducted the case for the prosecution, pointed out that the magistrates had grossly erred in reducing a charge when they had no power to do so, and against the strong protests of the police.
Mr Williamson said that that was not so. The Bench had the defendant recharged, and the police asked him if he would plead guilty.
Constable Wilson deposed that in consequence of a complaint made at 10 am, on December 9th, he proceeded to Ryde public School. There saw Edward Rooke Jones, and from something he told witness, the latter afterwards saw the accused. Said to accused, “Where were you between 3 and 4 pm yesterday, December 8th?” He said “I was at home with my mother.” Said “Edward Rooke Jones complaint to me that he was indecently assaulted about 4 pm yesterday on his way home from school.” Took the defendant to the police station and placed him with five other men, two of them about his age and build. Asked young Jones could he pick out the man who had assaulted him on the previous day. The lad pointed the accused out as the man who had assaulted him. Then cautioned the accused again. The accused, when questioned, stated thae [sic] between 3 and 4 pm on the previous day he was at the back of the Steamboat Hotel, Ryde. Witness said “Did you see this lad (Jones) there?” Accused replied “Yes.” Witness put other questions to the accused, who answered them in the affirmative. Arrested the accused, and he made no reply to the charge.
Cross examined: At the Ryde Police Court perhaps witness made a different statement to one of those made that day at Parramatta.
Edward Rooke Jones, a lad nine years of age, deposed that he was by the hotel (the Steamboat Hotel). Witness was hiding from two other children. Saw Jas Thompson. He was coming down the hill, near Moses’. He came up to witness. Said, “What time is it?” He said, “Ten minutes to 4.” (The witness then gave further particulars of the occurrence.)
Cross examined: Left school at 3.30; was not playing truant. Could not say if he said certain things sworn to that day, at Ryde.
Annie Jone s deposed that GR [sic] Jones her son, aged nine years. Remembered just before Christmas, her son came home very excited. He made a complaint. Remembered the Police Court proceedings at Ryde. The complaint was made a day or two before than. The lad when he made the complaint was crying and frightened. The lad said he was very frightened, and that some boy had waylaid and insulted him; tried to hurt him and had threatened to kill him under certain circumstances.
Wesley Kirby, corroborated the evidence of the lad Jones.
Arthur G Plunkett, CPS, Ryde, deposed that he remembered Police Court proceedings at Ryde on December 11th. Witness took the depositions in the case. The charge was altered by the Bench to one of common assault. The accused pleaded guilty to the charge and was sentenced to seven days’ imprisonment. He was re-charged. The new charge was read over, and he was asked how he would plead to it (to common assault). To that charge he pleaded guilty.
The depositions taken at Ryde were handed in.
Mr Williamson said that there was no evidence of any indecent assault according to law, whatever evidence there was of an assault with an indecent motive.
The SM committed the lad for trial at the Parramatta Sessions on February 15 bail (£80) being allowed.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
The Cumberland Times, Thu 18 Feb 1904 5
PARRAMATTA QUARTER SESSIONS.
———◦———
The Parramatta Quarter Sessions opened on Monday, before Judge Docker.
…
TUESDAY.
…
Samuel Thompson, a lad of 15, was charged with assaulting a little boy of nine years, named Edward Rooke Jones, at Ryde, on December 8. Accused pleaded not guilty. The jury brought in a verdict of guilty, and he was remanded for sentence.
…
SENTENCES.
…
Samuel Thompson was sent to gaol for six months for assaulting a boy at Ryde.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
The Sydney Morning Herald, Thu 18 Feb 1904 6
PARRAMATTA DISTRICT.
———◦———
QUARTER SESSIONS.
The Quarter Sessions were continued yesterday before Judge Docker.
…
SENTENCES.
…
Samuel Thompson, found guilty of assault upon a lad, was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment with hard labour in Parramatta gaol.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
The Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers’ Advocate, Sat 20 Feb 1904 7
PARRAMATTA QUARTER SESSIONS.
———◦———
Tuesday, February 16.
(Before Judge Docker.)
Mr AF Dawson was Crown Prosecutor; Mr JR Armitage, deputy sheriff; Mr Jas Watt, CPS, deputy clerk of the peace.
…
A RYDE CASE.
Samuel Thompson was charged with an assault upon ER Jones, a lad.
Mr M Williamson appeared for the accused. (All females and lads under 21 were ordered out of Court.)
The lad [Edward Rooke] Jones gave evidence as to the nature of the assault, which, as he alleged, the accused had committed upon him.
Mr Williamson cross-examined the lad, who admitted that he did not tell quite all that happened, till the police proceedings at Parramatta.
Leslie Kirby, a lad, corroborated the evidence given by the lad Jones.
The mother of the lad Jones gave evidence to the effect that her lad came home on the day of the alleged offence, one day just before Christmas. He was excited, and appeared to have been frightened, and had been crying. He told her something. He said he was afraid of being hurt, and his life had been threatened.
Percy John Wilson, constable, of Ryde, deposed that he saw the accused. Cautioned him. The accused, when questioned, said that he was at home at his mother’s, on the day of the alleged offence. Said that the lad Jones had been assaulted by a young man answering his (accused’s) description. Took him to the police station, and placed him with five others. Young Jones identified the accused. Cautioned accused again. Asked him where he was between 3 and 4 pm on the previous day. He said, “I was at the back of the Steamboat Hotel.” He admitted that he saw Jones there. He admitted that certain things took place, but denied other things.
AG Plunkett, CPS, Ryde produced the depositions taken at Ryde, in a case against the same young man, in respect of common assault. The young man pleaded guilty, and was sentenced to seven days’ imprisonment.
The accused [Samuel Thompson] went into the box. He deposed that his name was Samuel Thompson. Was 15 years of age. Saw the lad Jones. Went to him, to pick him up; and fell over him. When the lad got up, he started to cry. Did not make use of any threat.
Mr M Williamson addressed the jury, urging that the evidence was of such a character as would justify the jury in acquitting the accused.
His Honor summed up, and the jury retired, and after about an hour’s deliberation, brought in a verdict of guilty.
Mr Williamson addressed his Honor before the Court adjourned. He asked his Honor to take into consideration the prisoner’s youth, and, if possible, to send him to a reformatory.
His Honor said that he would hear what the prisoner’s father had to say with reference to the young man, in the morning, and then would give consideration to Mr Williamson’s applications.
…
PARRAMATTA QUARTER SESSIONS.
———◦———
(Continued from Page 8.)
———
Wednesday, February 17.
———
THE SENTENCES.
…
THE RYDE CASE.
Samuel Thompson was brought up for sentence, for an assault upon a lad.
A list of previous convictions was read out.
The father of Thompson (residing at Ryde) said that the lad had had an attack of rheumatic fever upon him. He had behaved in a strange manner since.
The Crown Prosecutor and the police said that it seemed that it would be undesirable for the prisoner to be sent to the Carpentarian Reformatory.
His Honor said that the lad was a bad boy, and he had been convicted of an abominable crime. If he came before the Court again, he would be dealt with very severely. He was sentenced to six months’ hard labour in Parramatta Gaol.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Samuel Thompson, Gaol photo sheet 8
![SRNSW: NRS2397, [3/6010], Parramatta photographic description book, 1880-1930, No. 760, p. 178, R5137.](../../images/trials/1904-Thompson-6010-gaol-photo-760.jpg "SRNSW: NRS2397, [3/6010], Parramatta photographic description book, 1880-1930, No. 760, p. 178, R5137.") |
Gaol Photo Sheet - Transcribed Details
No. 760
Parramatta
Date when Portrait was taken: 25 February 1904
Name: Samuel Thompson
|
Native place: Ryde, NSW Year of birth: 1889 Arrived Ship: Trade or occupation Religion: Church of England Education, degree of: Write only Height: 5' 9¼" Weight On committal: 137 Colour of hair: Brown Colour of eyes: Grey |
Marks or special features: Scar on bridge of nose. Scar on right thigh over knee. Scar on left knee |
|
(No. of previous Portrait ... ) CONVICTIONS |
|||||
| Where and When | Offence. | Sentence | |||
|
Ryde PC Burwood Ryde PC Parramatta Q.S |
18 13 16 16 |
4 10 9 2 |
1899 1901 1902 1904 |
Riotous Behaviour Stealing Stealing Indecent assault on a male person |
5-/ + costs 4/10 or 24 hours Bound over in the sum of £10 to keep Sent to Carpentarian Reformatory 6 months HL. |
1 The Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers’ Advocate (Parramatta), Sat 22 Apr 1899, p. 10.
2 The Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers’ Advocate (Parramatta), Sat 19 Dec 1903, p. 10.
3 The Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers’ Advocate (Parramatta), Sat 26 Dec 1903, p. 4.
4 The Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers’ Advocate (Parramatta), Sat 30 Jan 1904, p. 12. Emphasis added.
5 The Cumberland Times (Parramatta), Thu 18 Feb 1904, p. 5.
6 The Sydney Morning Herald, Thu 18 Feb 1904, p. 8.
7 The Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers’ Advocate (Parramatta), Sat 20 Feb 1904, pp. 8, 11. Emphasis added.
8 SRNSW: NRS2397, [3/6010], Parramatta photographic description book, 1880-1930, No. 760, p. 178, R5137.