Below also see: William Tasker, 1923 – Indecent assault,
William Tasker, 1924
Evening News, Tue 8 Dec 1908 1
COMEDY IN COURT.
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AN ECCENTRIC ACCUSED
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A dishevelled-looking individual, with the stamp of the back-blocks spread over his countenance, named William Tasaker, [aka William Tasker] caused a good deal of comedy at Darlinghurst Sessions this afternoon. He was charged with having stolen, at Morton’s Creek on August 20, a mare and a pair of winkers, the property of James Robinson. He pleaded not guilty.
In opening the case to the jury, the Crown Prosecutor said that mare was securely fastened in Mr Robinson’s home paddock. He missed the mare, and heard nothing for some time, till a boy said he saw accused with the mare at Stoney Creek, near Kempsey. Later on the remains of the mare were found at the bottom of the creek. It had evidently been hobbled, and toppled over the bank. The stirrups, identified as Mr Robinson’s property, were found beside the mare, and a saddle belonging to another farmer in the fork of a tree near by.
Evidence had been given by James Robinson, when accused began to cross-examine him.
“Is it not a fact,” he asked, “that you had a spite against me, because I wouldn’t work for 5s a week?”—No.
Yes, you did! It is not a fact that you used to let down the sliprails and let the cows into the next man’s paddock, and take them back next morning, eh?—No, I did not.
Yes, you did. Isn’t it a fact that you wanted me to shake two turkeys from —– ?—No.
Yes, you did. Is it not a fact that you shook the cream you brought down from Port Macquarie?—No, nothing of the sort.
Yes, I know you did. Do you remember that time we were down at Wauchope?—Yes, I remember that time.
Didn’t I ride your mare home that afternoon?—I do not remember.
Is it not a fact that you got that mare shod that afternoon?—I may have.
Is it not a fact that me and you shook four tails from hides stuck on the back of the fence?—No, I did not.
Yes, you did. I salted them, and you stuck to the lot?—I did not.
Is it not a fact that you brought this charge against me because I wouldn’t give you a week’s notice, and work for 5s a week?—No.
Is it not a fact that you had another man working for you, and he didn’t do sufficient work, and he cleared out?—No.
His Honor (to accused): Do you think these questions would do you any good? They implicate you just as much as he.
Tasaker: I am not guilty of shaking the mare.
The boy Aubrey Bull, who gave evidence of accused riding the mare in the vicinity of Kempsey, was also questioned. He had sworn to seeing accused, when Tasaker said, “Well, I don’t think it was me you saw.”
Witness: Yes, that is the man I saw.
Tasaker (sullenly): Well, I don’t think it was. Why, I never saw you in my life before.
Witness: Yes, I saw you on Scrubby Creek Bridge.
Accused: I don’t think you did. (Brightening up.) Didn’t Robinson offer you three or four shillings to tell lies against me?—He did not.
Well, he did; he told me he was going to do that.
His Honor: Who told you that?—Robinson.
Where did he say that?—In Bowral.
After other witnesses had been called, Tasaker gave evidence in denial of the charge.
(Proceeding.)
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Evening News, Wed 9 Dec 1908 2
BREVITIES.
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…
William Tasaker was found guilty at the Darlinghurst Sessions of stealing a mare and pair of winkers at Port Macquarie, on August 20. The jury added a recommendation to mercy.
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The Sydney Morning Herald, Wed 9 Dec 1908 3
SYDNEY QUARTER SESSIONS.
(Before Judge Docker and juries.)
Mr Herbert Harris was Crown Prosecutor.
…
ALLEGED HORSE STEALING.
William Tasaker pleaded not guilty to a charge of stealing a mare from James Robinson, of Port Macquarie, on August 20.
According to the Crown case, Robinson left his mare in a paddock, securely enclosed. A boy saw the accused riding a mare corresponding with the missing one. The accused told the boy that he had borrowed the mare for the purpose of looking for another lost horse. An hour later this boy met the accused, who was on foot. The accused said he had lost the mare. Subsequently the mare was found dead in a waterhole, having probably stumbled while hobbled.
James Robinson identified the winkers.
Accused (to Robinson): Is it not a fact that you have a spite against me because I would not work for 5s a week?
Witness: No.
The accused denied the charge.
The jury brought in a verdict of guilty on both counts, with a recommendation to mercy on account of accused’s weak intellect.
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The Sydney Morning Herald, Thu 10 Dec 1908 4
SYDNEY QUARTER SESSIONS.
(Before Judge Docker and juries.)
Mr Herbert Harris was Crown Prosecutor.
SENTENCED.
William Tasaker, who was convicted on a charge of stealing a mare from James Robinson, of Port Macquarie, on August 20, was recommended to mercy by the jury on the ground of his weak intellect. His Honor sentenced the prisoner to 12 months’ imprisonment, with hard labour, in Goulburn Gaol.
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The Port Macquarie News and Hastings River Advocate, Sat 19 Dec 1908 5
LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.
————
…
William Tasaker was found guilty at the Sydney Quarter Sessions of stealing a mare from James Robinson, and was sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment in Goulburn Gaol.
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William Tasaker, Gaol photo sheet 6
![SRNSW: NRS2138, [3/6073], Darlinghurst Gaol photographic description book, 1907-1909, No. 10860, p. 190, R5112.](../../images/trials/1908-Tasaker-6073-gaol-photo-10860.jpg "SRNSW: NRS2138, [3/6073], Darlinghurst Gaol photographic description book, 1907-1909, No. 10860, p. 190, R5112.") |
Gaol Photo Sheet - Transcribed Details
No. 10860
08-5152
Date when Portrait was taken: 9-12-1908
Name: William Tasaker
(aka William Edwards, Glenmore Tasaker)
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Native place: Cootamundra Year of birth: 1881 Arrived Ship: Trade or occupation Religion: Church of England Education, degree of: R & W Height: 5' 7" Weight On committal: 141 Colour of hair: Light brown Colour of eyes: Blue |
Marks or special features: Minus two teeth lower jaw. Bites his nails left middle finger nail injured. Nose has been broken, scar under right eye, three round scars on left kneecap |
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(No. of previous Portrait ... ) CONVICTIONS |
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| Where and When | Offence. | Sentence | |||
|
Port Macquarie Q.S ditto Sydney Q..S |
23 23 8 |
5 5 12 |
1901 1901 1908 |
Maliciously cutting a False pretences Horse stealing and Larceny |
Bound over in sum of £20 to 12 months HL suspended under 12 months HL on each charge |
William Tasker, 1923
The Macleay Argus, Tue 30 Oct 1923 7
QUARTER SESSIONS.
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KEMPSEY, Monday, October 29.
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The above court opened yesterday morning, before his Honor Judge Mocatta. Mr PJ O’Neill sat as Deputy Sheriff, and Mr RJ Browning was Crown Prosecutor. The legal fraternity was represented by Messrs Curtis and McTiernan (barristers) and Messrs WH Sheridan, LJ Hardiman, HJ Stewart and DJ Vine Hall (solicitors). Mr Brewer was clerk of the court and Mr Lyon Sheriff’s Officer.
Messrs Wm Simon and Thos A Miller, for whom Mr WH Sheridan spoke, were excused from attendance as jurors.
…
A SERIOUS CHARGE.
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William Edward Glenmire Tasker was charged that on August 29th, near Wauchope, he did indecently assault a lad named James Campbell.
Mr RJ Browning prosecuted.
Accused conducted his own defence.
The following jurymen were empanelled: JB Scobie, Henry Barnett, Henry E Wedlock, William Osborne, Frank Sutherland, James Crotty, John Skimmings, Frederick Debenham, Walter E Secomb, Douglas Cheers, Alfred J Savage and Cecil A Christian.
Constable [Arthur Herbert] Freebody deposed on Thursday, August 30th, in consequence of something he was told, he went to Limeburners’ Creek, where he saw the accused lying on the ground watching his brother ploughing. In a conversation the accused denied that he had been to “Hillston,” or Rosewood the previous day. Accused added that he had been down to the beach at Port Macquarie looking for minerals. Accused said he had not seen anyone the day before. Witness then arrested him and took him to the Wauchope lockup. On the 31st the accused was lined up in the Wauchope court house yard with ten other men and James Campbell then came in and immediately identified the accused as the man who had assaulted him. On September 14th witness obtained from an aboriginal, named Clarefield Dungay, a pair of sand shoes which the accused identified as his.
James Campbell, deposed, he was 11 years and five months old. In reply to a question as to whether he understood what would happen to him if he told a lie, he stated he would not go to Heaven when he died.
His Honor: He seems to know more about that than we do.
Witness stated he lived with his parents at “Hillston,” about five miles from Wauchope. He walked to and from school every day. On the day in question he left school about 3.30 pm and started to walk home. He had gone about three-and-a-half miles when he met the accused walking in the opposite direction, towards Wauchope. Accused stopped him and asked if his father had any work and witness replied that he did not think so. They then walked together towards witness’s home for about half-a-mile and cut through the bush, which was shorter. Witness then gave an account of the alleged assault.
Clarefield Dungay, an aboriginal, gave evidence of how accused had worked for him squaring sleepers and of how he took accused’s sand shoes to Constable Freebody. He stated that on the day in question accused left to get some water in a kerosene tin, but did not return. Witness followed his tracks after he found the empty tin until they brought him on to the Manning road. The footsteps were going in the direction of Wauchope.
Duncan B Campbell, father of the lad, stated on the day in question his son came home in a very frightened and excited condition and told him something.
Albert DM Suters, deposed, said he knew Tasker. On August 30th witness met Tasker on the road about 11 am. When Tasker saw witness he hid behind a log. When he saw witness had seen him he came out and in reply to a question as to where he had been accused said: “Just out there.” This concluded the evidence for the prosecution.
Accused [William Tasker] then intimated that he wished to give evidence and was placed in the witness-box and sworn. He then began a statement during which he said that he was working at a place called Greenhill for an aboriginal named Clarefield Dungay. They had a quarrel and witness got frightened and made an excuse of going for some water. He took a kerosene tin and did not return. He had not been back since. He went down to Tacking Point looking for minerals. He returned next day and on the way met Bert Suters. Witness told Suters he was going to his brother’s place. Witness added: “That was 28 miles away from where the crime was committed.”
His Honor: Where the crime was committed?
Witness: Yes; where the boy was supposed to be assaulted. He considered the boy had made a mistake. He added: “I would do nobody any bodily harm.”
In answering to Mr Browning, accused admitted having been convicted of vagrancy quite recently but added that he pleaded guilty when he should have pleaded not guilty and that he considered he had given himself that sentence. He also admitted having been convicted of horse stealing and larceny in 1908.
This concluded the evidence and after an address by his Honor the jury retired to consider their verdict.
The jury, after a short retirement, returned with a verdict of guilty, and accused was remanded for sentence.
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SENTENCES.
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This morning his Honor pronounced sentences on the two accused convicted yesterday.
…
William Edward Glenmire Tasker, convicted of indecent assault, was sentenced to 12 months’ hard labor in a gaol to be appointed by the Comptroller of Prisons, and in addition within six months of the completion of the sentence to receive a whipping of 12 strokes. His Honor added he hoped that would be a deterrent to others whose minds inclined them to such practices.
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The Macleay Chronicle, Wed 31 Oct 1923 8
QUARTER SESSIONS.
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Kempsey Quarter Sessions opened Monday last, before His Honor Judge Mocatta, who was accompanied on the Bench by Mr PJ O’Neill, Deputy-Sheriff.
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…
William Ed Glenmire Tasked, charged with an indecent offence at Wauchope, on 29th August, pleaded not guilty. He was undefended.
The following were empanelled a jury: Messrs JB Scobie, H Barnett, HE Wedlock, W Osborne, F Sutherland, Jas Crotty, J Skimmings, Fred Debenham, WE Secomb, AJ Savage, Doug Cheers, and CE Christian.
The jury returned a verdict of guilty, and accused was sentenced to 12 months hard labor, also to receive a whipping of 12 strokes.
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The Sydney Morning Herald, Tue 6 Nov 1923 9
COUNTRY NEWS.
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KEMPSEY QUARTER SESSIONS.
Kempsey, Monday.
At Kempsey Quarter Sessions
…
William Edward Glenmire Tasker, under committal from Wauchope Police Court for a charge of indecent assault on a boy, was found guilty. He was sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment, and within six months from the imposition of the sentence and at the time fixed by the Attorney-General accused be given 12 strokes. His Honor added: “I regard man of your kind as an absolute danger. Parents of small children must some time or other perforce allow them out of their sight and protection, and then a man of your type takes advantage of it in a cruel and criminal way.”
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The Sydney Morning Herald, Thu 20 Dec 1923 10
COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEAL.
(Before Mr Justice Gordon, Mr Justice
Ferguson, and Mr Justice James.)
REX v. TASKER.
William Edward Glenmire Tasker applied for leave to appeal against his conviction before the Kempsey Court of Quarter Sessions on a charge of committing an indecent assault on a male, for which he was sentenced by Judge Mocatta to twelve months’ imprisonment with hard labour, and a whipping of twelve strokes. The accused denied that he was guilty, and complained of the severity of the sentence. The Court expressed the opinion that the trial Judge should have warned the jury that it was dangerous to convict on the uncorroborated evidence of the person alleged to have been assaulted. The jury, of course, had the right to so convict, but should have been previously warned. In the circumstances, the Court ordered a new trial, the trial Judge to be informed of the reasons for the setting aside of the conviction.
William Tasker, 1924
The Macleay Argus, Tue 11 Mar 1924 11
QUARTER SESSIONS.
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KEMPSEY, Monday, March 10.
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BEFORE JUDGE MOCATTA.
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The above Criminal Sessions Court opened yesterday at West Kempsey Court House. Mr RJ Browning appeared for the Crown. The legal fraternity was represented by Messrs LJ Hardiman, HJ Stewart, WH Sheridan, DJ Vine Hall, and RA Marks (Bellingen), and Messrs Sheppard and McTiernan (barristers).
Mr Schroder was fined £2 for absence as a juror.
———
…
ALLEGED INDECENT ASSAULT.
William Edward Glenmire Tasker was charged with indecent assault on a male. He pleaded not guilty and was undefended.
The following jurymen were empanelled: Hy Powick, GW Chambers, JJ Curley, Wm J Froude, JW Ironfield, Thos Reed, H Buchanan, James Judd, HB Savage, Albert E Wedlock, Thos Rowe and John Davis.
The evidence was similar to that given in October of last year. At about 7 pm the jury returned to court with a verdict of guilty.
…
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Tuesday.
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SENTENCES.
On Tuesday his Honor passed sentence on those convicted of offences.
…
William Edward Glenmire Tasker said he had nothing to say, in answer to the usual questions.
His Honor said it was shocking to think that a man of the years of accused should be twice found guilty of such an offence as that with which he had been charged. Ordinary chivalry should have caused him to give protection to children. Parents would have to have their children protected from men with such distorted lust. He then sentenced accused to two years and six months’ imprisonment, to date from the previous trial, October 29th [1923].
(On the previous occasion Tasker was sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment and within six months of the termination of the sentence to receive twelve strokes.)
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The Macleay Chronicle, Wed 12 Mar 1924 12
QUARTER SESSIONS.
——✦——
Kempsey Quarter Sessions opened on Monday last before His Honor Judge Mocatta. Mr Browning was Crown Prosecutor.
——
…
William Edward Glenmire Tasker, up for re-trial on a charge of indecent assault, pleaded not guilty.
The following were empanelled as jury: Messrs H Powick, G Chambers, JJ Curley, W Froude, T Reed, H Buchanan, J Judd, HB Savage, T Rowe, Jno Davis, HV Wedlock, and H Nelson.
The evidence as given at previous Quarter Sessions was gone over again in detail, and the jury again found a verdict of guilty.
In sentencing the accused to a term of 2 years and 6 months hard labor His Honor stressed the necessity of a severe sentence as a deterrent for the protection of children from such abominable and bestial natures. However, in view of the accused’s promise to reform he would relieve him of one phase of the previous sentence and not impose a whipping. The sentence will date from 29th October, 1923.
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William Edward Glenmire Tasker, Gaol photo sheet 13
![SRNSW: NRS2467, [3/6110], State Penitentiary photographic description book, 11 Aug 1923-12 Jan 1924, No. 19738, p. 163.](../../images/trials/1908-Tasaker-6110-gaol-photo-19738-William-Tasker.jpg "SRNSW: NRS2467, [3/6110], State Penitentiary photographic description book, 11 Aug 1923-12 Jan 1924, No. 19738, p. 163.") |
Gaol Photo Sheet - Transcribed Details
No. 19738
Date when Portrait was taken: 2-11-1913
Name: William Edward Glenmire Tasker
(aka William Tasaker, Glenmore Tasaker, William Edwards)
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Native place: Cootamundra Year of birth: Du 1881 Arrived Ship: Trade or occupation Religion: C of E Education, degree of: R & W Height: 5' 7⅛" Weight On committal: 150 Colour of hair: Light brown Colour of eyes: Blue
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Marks or special features: Minus two teeth from lower jaw. Bites his nails left middle finger nail injured, nose has been broken, scar under right eye. Three round scars on left kneecap. |
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(No. of previous Portrait .. 10860) CONVICTIONS |
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| Where and When | Offence. | Sentence | |||
|
Wauchope PC Kempsey Q.S Criminal Appeal Court Kempsey Q.S |
22 29 19 10 |
2 10 19 3 |
1923 1923 1923 1924 |
Vagrancy Indecent assault on
Indecent assault on |
2 months HL 12 months HL and receive 12 lashes Conviction set aside. New Trial ordered 2 years HL & 6 months HL. |
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And 3 previous convictions for which see Photo No. as above |
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1 Evening News, (Sydney, NSW), Tue 8 Dec 1908, p. 5. Emphasis added.
2 Evening News, (Sydney, NSW), Wed 9 Dec 1908, p. 1.
3 The Sydney Morning Herald, Wed 9 Dec 1908, p. 7.
4 The Sydney Morning Herald, Thu 10 Dec 1908, p. 7.
5 The Port Macquarie News and Hastings River Advocate, (NSW), Sat 19 Dec 1908, p. 2.
6 SRNSW: NRS2138, [3/6073], Darlinghurst Gaol photographic description book, 1907-1909, No. 10860, p. 190, R5112.
7 The Macleay Argus (Kempsey), Tue 30 Oct 1923, p. 3. Emphasis added.
8 The Macleay Chronicle (Kempsey), Wed 31 Oct 1923, p. 4.
9 The Sydney Morning Herald, Tue 6 Nov 1923, p. 10.
10 The Sydney Morning Herald, Thu 20 Dec 1923, p. 6.
11 The Macleay Argus (Kempsey), Tue 11 Mar 1924, p. 2.
12 The Macleay Chronicle (Kempsey), Wed 12 Mar 1924, p. 4.
13 SRNSW: NRS2467, [3/6110], State Penitentiary photographic description book, 11 Aug 1923-12 Jan 1924, No. 19738, p. 163.