James Hobbs, 1898
Below also see: James Hobbs, 1900,
James Hobbs, 1909,
James Hobbs, 1910 – Indecent assault
The Dubbo Liberal and Macquarie Advocate, Wed 9 Nov 1898 1
LAND BOARD COURT.
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(Before Messrs WC Cardew, D Soane, and J Samuels, JsP.)
THE sittings concluded on Saturday, when the following business was done:—
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WELLINGTON QUARTER SESSIONS.—The Wellington Quarter Sessions were held on Friday and Saturday last before His Honor Judge Coffey. There was only a small list.
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Jas Hobbs, for larceny, received a sentence of three months’ imprisonment, sentence suspended under the First Offenders’ Act (recognisances for twelve months good behaviour, self in £50 and one surety in £50).
James Hobbs, 1900
The Dubbo Liberal and Macquarie Advocate, Sat 3 Feb 1900 2
POLICE COURT.
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Monday, Jan 29.
(Before Mr JF Makinson, PM.)
James Hobbs, a simple looking lad, was charged with stealing 22s, the property of Mrs Kenny, on the 28th instant.
Sergeant McDonnell gave evidence of arrest; defendant made no reply when charged; found 8s 3d on him.
Mary Kenny, widow, residing at Dubbo, said she had a store in Talbragar-street; on Sunday morning she with her brother left to go to church; returned shortly after 9 o’clock; the place was locked when they left it; there was half a sovereign in a chest of drawers and the silver was on a dressing table in her bedroom; on her return the money was gone.
Mr McGuinn, who appeared for accused, asked for leniency on account of the weak state of mind of accused, and also on account of his youth.
Sergeant McDonnell said accused was tried in November, 1898, at the Quarter Sessions for breaking and entering, and convicted, but released under the First Offenders’ Act .
The PM admonished accused, and fined him 20s, or 14 days imprisonment. The prisoner’s stepfather undertook to recoup prosecutrix the balance of the money stolen from her.
James Hobbs, 1909
The Dubbo Liberal and Macquarie Advocate, Wed 17 Feb 1909 3
POLICE COURT.
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Tuesday, February 16.
(Before Mr W Burton Smith, PM.)
ALLEGED LARCENY.
James Hobbs was charged with stealing a crowbar, the property of Quong Lee, on or about the 1st January.
The accused pleaded not guilty, but at the close of the evidence he asked to be allowed to alter his plea to one of guilty, and was fined 20s or one month’s imprisonment, time being allowed to pay the fine
James Hobbs, 1910
Dubbo Dispatch and Wellington Independent, Wed 2 Feb 1910 4
DUBBO QUARTER SESSIONS.
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Tuesday, Feb 1.
(Before his Honor Judge Gibson, and Juries).
Mr AT Cochrane, Deputy Clerk of the Peace; Mr GH Taylor, Deputy Sheriff.
Mr Walter Brown prosecuted for the Crown. The other members of the bar were Mr Boyce and Mr Norman Pilcher, Mr Wren (solicitor, Narromine), and the local solicitors.
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A SERIOUS CHARGE.
James Hobbs pleaded not guilty to an offence of a serious nature [an indecent assault on Arthur Sutton, 11].
The accused was found guilty and recommended to mercy on account of presumed weak intellect.
His Honor remanded the prisoner for sentence, and directed that he should be medically examined prior to the passing of sentence.
…
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JUDGE AND JUROR.
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DURING the hearing of a case at the Quarter sessions on Tuesday, His Honor Judge Gibson, speaking with some warmth, said that he had received a letter from a juror whom he had refused to excuse from attendance, again asking to be allowed to “go.” I shall not allow him to go. Why should I? I have already refused him. It is a piece of impertinence writing a letter to me. Why should I favour him above others, and if he does not attend I shall fine him heavily.
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The Dubbo Liberal and Macquarie Advocate, Wed 2 Feb 1910 5
QUARTER SESSIONS.
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(Before his Honor Judge Gibson).
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Tuesday, 1st February.
Mr GH Taylor, deputy-sheriff, occupied a seat on the bench, and Mr Walter Bevan attended to prosecute for the Crown.
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CHARGE OF INDECENCY.
James Hobbs was charged with a serious offence against decency, and pleaded not guilty.
Accused was undefended, but he cross-examined several of the witnesses, and subsequently gave evidence on his own behalf.
His Honor summed up, and then directed that the jury be provided with lunch, and the Court adjourned a few minutes after 1 o’clock.
Shortly after 2 o’clock the jury returned with a verdict of guilty, and a strong recommendation to mercy, on account of accused mental condition.
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Dubbo Dispatch and Wellington Independent, Sat 5 Feb 1910 6
A SEXUAL DEGENERATE.
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AT the sitting of the Dubbo Quarter Sessions on Wednesday the only business remaining over from the previous day was the sentencing of a young man named James Hobbs, who had been convicted of an indecent assault of a somewhat serious nature. The jury had recommended him to mercy, as they had doubts of his sanity, and His Honor remanded him with the view of his being examined by the Government Medical officer before the imposition of the sentence.
Dr Burkitt gave evidence that he had examined the accused, whose mental organization was deficient. The doctor said that a man of the accused’s constitution was a danger to others.
His Honor sentenced the prisoner to two years’ hard labor in Grafton Gaol. He said that he would not say anything to the prisoner regarding his offence, as this would be of no use, but he intimated that in sending him to Grafton he was sending the accused to a prison where such as he were carefully watched and received special attention.
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The Dubbo Liberal and Macquarie Advocate, Sat 5 Feb 1910 7
QUARTER SESSIONS.
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(Before his Honor Judge Gibson).
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Wednesday, 2nd February.
Mr GH Taylor, deputy sheriff, occupied a seat on the bench, and Mr W Bevan attended as Crown prosecutor.
INDECENCY.
The case of James Hobbs, who had been found guilty of indecency, and whose sentence had stood over pending medical examination, was before the Court again.
Sub-Inspector Cameron deposed to the previous convictions.
Dr Burkitt deposed that the accused, while not by any means insane, was certainly below the average in mental qualifications.
His Honor, in passing a sentence of two years, said he regarded a person such as accused as a danger to the community. The committal would be to Grafton gaol, where such persons as the prisoner were particularly watched.
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James Hobbs, Gaol photo sheet 8
![SRNSW: NRS2138, [3/6015a], Darlinghurst Gaol photographic description book, 1909-1910, No. 11225, p. 147, R5113.](../../images/trials/1910-Hobbs-6015A-gaol-photo-11225.jpg "SRNSW: NRS2138, [3/6015a], Darlinghurst Gaol photographic description book, 1909-1910, No. 11225, p. 147, R5113.") |
Gaol Photo Sheet - Transcribed Details
No. 11225
Date when Portrait was taken: 8-2-1910
Name: James Hobbs
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Native place: Bathurst Year of birth: 20-9-1878 Arrived Ship: Trade or occupation Religion: C of E Education, degree of: R and W Height: 5' 2¾" Weight On committal: 127 Colour of hair: Light brown Colour of eyes: Blue |
Marks or special features: Minus six teeth top and five teeth lower jaw, slight scar down front edge of left forearm, nostrils very wide and open, several small scars on right kneecap |
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(No. of previous Portrait ... ) CONVICTIONS |
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| Where and When | Offence. | Sentence | |||
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Dubbo PC ditto ditto ditto Dubbo Q.S |
29 15 25 16 1 |
1 1 5 2 2 |
1900 1904 1908 1909 1910 |
Larceny ditto Breach of Municipal Act Larceny Indecent assault on a male person |
20/- or 14 days. Paid fine 3 months HL 17/- or 4 days HL £2 or 1 months HL 2 years HL |
1 The Dubbo Liberal and Macquarie Advocate, Wed 9 Nov 1898, p. 2.
2 The Dubbo Liberal and Macquarie Advocate, Sat 3 Feb 1900, p. 6. Emphasis added.
3 The Dubbo Liberal and Macquarie Advocate, Wed 17 Feb 1909, p. 2.
4 Dubbo Dispatch and Wellington Independent, Wed 2 Feb 1910, p. 3.
5 The Dubbo Liberal and Macquarie Advocate, Wed 2 Feb 1910, p. 2.
6 Dubbo Dispatch and Wellington Independent, Sat 5 Feb 1910, p. 4. Emphasis added.
7 The Dubbo Liberal and Macquarie Advocate, Sat 5 Feb 1910, p. 3.
8 SRNSW: NRS2138, [3/6015a], Darlinghurst Gaol photographic description book, 1909-1910, No. 11225, p. 147, R5113.