The Wellington Times, Mon 29 Jul 1907 1
ALLEGED BESTIALITY.
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Before the PM at the local Police Court on Friday last an old man named John Michael Gavin was presented on a charge of having committed a bestial offence, [with a filly], at Bodangora on 18th instant.
Sergeant Ford prosecuted on behalf of the police, and Mr WP Kelly appeared for the accused.
Evidence, the particulars of which are unprintable, was taken, the witnesses being Constable Matheson, William Thomas Frith, and George England.
Accused, who pleaded not guilty, was committed for trial at the next Wellington Quarter Sessions, to be held on September 6th next. Bail was allowed in one surety of £200, or two of £100 each.
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The Wellington Gazette, Mon 9 Sep 1907 2
QUARTER SESSIONS.
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FRIDAY LAST
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Before Acting Judge Bevan.
…
A HORRIBLE OFFENCE.
John Michael Gavin was charged with committing an abominable offence at Jawbone.
The following jury were empanelled:—R Tremain, JN Smith, M Bembrick, G Walker, S Taylor, R Geale, C Offner, FH Kennard, EA Smith, N Tremain, JT O’Brien, FH Smith.
Three jurors were challenged.
The Crown Prosecutor outlined the case, stating that on the night of the 17th July the accused was returning from a political meeting at Bodangora, and later on was found either committing or attempting to commit an abominable offence. When seen accused pretended to be asleep.
The principal witness was a man named Frith, who was attracted to the spot by certain noises. The case is unfit for publication.
The jury found accused not guilty.
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The Wellington Times, Mon 9 Sep 1907 3
QUARTER SESSIONS.
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Friday, September 6.
(Before Mr Acting-Justice Bevan.)
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…
A TERRIBLE CHARGE.
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John Michael Gavin was presented on a charge of having committed a beastial [sic] offence at Bodangora on July 18. Mr WP Kelly appeared for the accused. After a brief retirement the foreman (Mr S Taylor) announced that the jury had arrived at a verdict of not guilty.
Accused was accordingly discharged.
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The Sydney Morning Herald, Wed 11 Sep 1907 4
COUNTRY NEWS.
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QUARTER SESSIONS.
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Wellington, Tuesday.
At the Quarter Sessions, before Acting Judge Bevan, William Littler and Walter Tye were acquitted on a charge of sheep stealing, and John Michael Gavin on a serious charge.
1 The Wellington Times, Mon 29 Jul 1907 p. 2. Emphasis added.
2 The Wellington Gazette, Mon 9 Sep 1907, p. 2. Emphasis added.
3 The Wellington Times, Mon 9 Sep 1907 pp. 2, 3.
4 The Sydney Morning Herald, Wed 11 Sep 1907, p. 15. Emphasis added.