Below also see: L Leslie Linforth, 1915

Truth, Sun 11 May 1913 ¹

LINFORTH AND CLOUTE.
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THE LODGERS AND THE LANDLORD.
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THE POLICE UTILISE TWO GIMLET-HOLES.
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Mesh the Batman and the Musician.
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Woeful Worry ay Waverley.
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    A case which has caused a lot of commotion out Paddington way was heard by Mr King, SM, at the Paddington Police Court on Thursday, the courtroom being well filled with men, who had apparently taken a holiday to attend.

    Tow robust men, Lionel Leslie Linforth, 36 years of age, and Frederick Charles Cloute, 22, were charged with indecently assaulting each other at Waverley. On April 20, Sub-inspector Mathews looked after the police side of the question. While Mr Parker appeared for the accused. Both accused are fairly well-known in the district, Linforth, the smaller and older, being up to the date mentioned a piano player at the Ebley-street skating-rink; ² and Cloute, the bigger and younger, being a barman at the Royal Surry Hotel.

    Senior-constable M Roche, the first witness, said that about half-past 7 o’clock on the morning of April 19, with his mate Macpherson, he went to a house occupied by one Doetsch, on the Bondi-road, Waverley. Doetsch ushered them into a bedroom on the ground floor, separated from one occupied by Linforth and his wife and two children by folding doors. A couple of small

HOLES HAD BEEN BORED

into the folding-doors, about a foot apart, and high up. About 8.15 the accused Cloute entered Linforth’s room. Just then Mrs Linforth came in from the back, and her husband at once said to her—

    Mr Parker objected that they were dealing with an occurrence on April 20, and he didn’t wish other matter introduced.

    The Inspector wished to show the association existing between Cloute and Linforth; but the magistrate disallowed it.

    The senior-constable then, skipping a chapter, said that the following day, Sunday, he and Macpherson went to the same house at about 3 o’clock in the afternoon, and Doetsch stayed with them in the same room. In the adjoining room were Cloute and Linforth drinking a glass of beer. Looking through one of the peepholes, while one of the others glued his eye to its mate, he saw Linforth and Cloute embracing and kissing each other. Linforth put his arms around Cloute’s neck, and Cloute put his hand over Linforth’s shoulder, and they went and lay on a single bedstead opposite the folding-doors, and directly in the line of vision. Here they went through a performance that was unprintable. After Linforth and Cloute had undressed and pulled a quilt over them, he and Roche and the others went around to the door and demanded admittance. They found the door locked, and though they tried to force it open, it was about three minutes before they were admitted. Linforth and Cloute were then standing in the room. Cloute clad in a suit of pyjamas, and Linforth wearing a pair of white trousers. Here Doetsch grew very excited, and attempted to strike the accused, venting his opinion of them volubly. Witness showed the accused the holes in the folding-doors, through which they had watched them, and said he had been watching

THEIR FILTHY CONDUCT.

Linforth said, “Is there no way to get out of this, for the sake of my wife and children?” and Cloute said, “Are you going to lock us up?” “Yes,” said witness. “Oh, can’t you manage to let us off?” begged Cloute; but he was assured that they really couldn’t. Linforth said, “If you do, I’ll never speak to Frank again.” Roche took no notice of their appeals, however, but requested Cloute to explain how he came to have his pyjamas in Linforth’s room. “They are not mine—they are Leslie’s, and he’s got my trousers on,” answered Clout. They were then walked off to the police station and charged, in reply to which Cloute said noting, but Linforth said, “It’s a lie;; there was no assault.

    To Mr Parker, the constable said the holes bored through the folding-doors were a quarter-inch in diameter—as large as would admit one’s finger. Two beds were in the room occupied by Linforth and his wife and children, and the holes were about 10ft cross from the single bed. He watched accused for about half-an-hour, but heard no conversation between them.

    Mr Parker: I’m afraid there is not much in your charge of indecent assault. But, tell me, did you have them medically examined?—No.

    Didn’t you try to get Cloute to make certain admissions?—We never spoke a word to him about the matter.

    The constable added that accused practically asked to be let off. They

WERE ON THE BED

about 20 minutes, and Doetsch, on getting into their room, told them what he thought of them, describing them as hounds, etc.

    Constable James Macpherson confirmed his mate’s story circumstantially, but said that Roche and Doetsch had the first peep through the holes. He produced the gimlet which had been used.

    Mr Parker: Did you previously suggest that Mrs Linforth should be absent with the children?—No, but I heard they were away at Manly with Mrs Doetsch.

    They did not discuss the case on the way to the station, said the constable; the only conversation relating to Cloute’s probably losing his billet over the matter.

    Carl Doetsch, ³ & ⁴ a middle-aged German, fat and stolid, said he carried on a small-goods business in Little Comber-street, and lived at No. 74 Bondi-road, Waverley. The house being too large for his requirements, his wife let rooms. About eight weeks ago the Linforth family came here to reside, and were given a room adjoining his own room on the ground floor. Cloute came there about three weeks later, being recommended, he thought, by Mrs Linforth, and was given a room upstairs to share with another man. Something

PECULIAR IN THEIR CONDUCT

sent him guessing, and made him uneasy. He noticed that they were always together, and that Linforth world take a cup of tea and toast upstairs to Cloute of a morning, and then Cloute would descend and enter Linforth’s room. He watched for himself, and from what he saw he informed the police of the goings on. On Sunday morning, between 8 and 9 o’clock, he saw Cloute enter Linforth’s room, but couldn’t hear what was said. Passing by this episode at the bidding of the inspector, Doetsch told how the police called the same afternoon, and kept vigil with him on the other side of the folding-doors. His evidence was somewhat similar to that of the constables. “Then I got sick,” he said. “I couldn’t see any more. I went away. It makes me sick. I told the police we break the door open now. I’m sick of this business. They wouldn’t open the door.”

    To Mr Parker, the witness said he once partook of a glass of beer with accused. As far as he could see, Mrs Linforth didn’t like Cloute much; but he had seen Cloute in Linforth’s room while Mrs Linforth was there. Yes, he
Became Suspicious Enough
to inform the police on April 18. That evening Constable Macpherson called, and after looking at a little hole in the door, he said it was too small, and advised witness to bore two large ones with a gimlet.

    Mr Parker: Did the police arrange that Mrs Linforth should be away that afternoon?—I don’t know, but my wife went off with her.

    How long did you look?—About 25 minutes.

    Mr Parker submitted that the charge of indecent assault must fail, and that there was no case against either of the accused, because an assault was something done against the will of the other party. It could not be an assault where a party was agreeable.

    The Bench though there was a case to answer.

    Asked what they had to say about the matter, Linforth and Cloute both said they were not guilty, and would reserve their defence.

    The Bench therefore committed them to the June Sessions for trial, increasing the bail from £20 to £30.

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The Daily Telegraph, Thu 12 Jun 1913 ⁵

QUARTER SESSIONS.
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(Before Judge Rogers.)

    Mr Walter Bevan prosecuted.
…

SENTENCE DEFERRED.

    Lionel Leslie Linforth and Frederick Charles Cloute [aka Cloutie] were convicted of an indecent assault. The jury requested his Honor to deal leniently with the prisoners, on the ground that they were of weak intellect. Sentence was deferred.

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The Sydney Morning Herald, Thu 12 Jun 1913 ⁶

QUARTER SESSIONS.
(Before Judge Rogers and juries.)

    Mr Walter Bevan, Crown Prosecutor.

GUILTY OF ASSAULT.

    Lionel Leslie Linforth, 30, [sic] described as a professional musician, and Frederick Charles Cloute, 37, [sic] a compositor, were jointly arraigned on an indictment charging them with assaulting each other, at Waverley, on April 20.

    Both accused pleaded not guilty, and were defended by Mr ER Abigail.

    The jury returned a verdict of guilty against both accused, but recommended them to mercy, on the ground of weak intellect.

    The prisoners were remanded for sentence.

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The Daily Telegraph, Fri 13 Jun 1913 ⁷

QUARTER SESSIONS.
———
(Before Judge Rogers and a jury.)

    Mr John Mason prosecuted for the Crown.
…

PRISONERS SENTENCED.

    Lionel Leslie Linforth and Frederick Charles Clute [aka Cloute, Cloutie], found guilty of indecent assault. Were each sentenced to nine months’ imprisonment in Goulburn Gaol, with hard labor. Sentence was suspended under the First Offenders’ Act on the accused entering into recognisances and finding sureties (Linforth in £100 and Clute in £50) to be of good behaviour for 12 months.

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The Sydney Morning Herald, Fri 13 Jun 1913 ⁸

QUARTER SESSIONS.
(Before Judge Rogers and juries.)

    Mr J Mason prosecuted for the Crown.
…

SENTENCES.

    Lionel Leslie Linforth and Frederick Charles Cloute, who were convicted on the previous day on a charge of indecent assault, were each sentenced to nine months’ imprisonment. The sentence was suspended under the First Offenders’ Act on the accused entering into recognisances to be of good behaviour for 12 months. The recognisances were fixed at £100 in Linforth’s case and £50 in Cloute’s case.

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Windsor and Richmond Gazette, Sat 21 Jun 1913 ⁹

FROM WEEK TO WEEK.
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…

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    At Sydney Quarter Sessions last week Frederick Charles Clout, and Lionel Leslie Linforth were found guilty of indecent assault. Both were released under the first Offenders Act, on finding sureties.

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Lionel Leslie Linforth, Gaol photo sheet ¹⁰

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Gaol Photo Sheet - Transcribed Details

No. 13030

Date when Portrait was taken: 12-6-1913

Name: Lionel Leslie Linforth

Native place: Sydney Year of birth: 12-3-1875 Arrived       Ship: in Colony }   Year: B.S Trade or occupation previous to conviction  } Musician Religion: C of E Education, degree of: R and W Height: 5' 6⅛" Weight     On committal: 133 in lbs     } On discharge: Colour of hair: Brown Colour of eyes: Blue

Marks or special features: Birthmark front of right ear

(No. of previous Portrait ... )  CONVICTIONS Convicted with Frederick Charles Cloute
Where and When				Offence.	Sentence
Sydney Q.S	11	6	1913	Indecent assault on a male person	9 months HL suspended under 1st offenders act. Recognisance self in £100 and one surety in £100 to be of behaviour for 12 months. Recognisance entered into in court and discharged 12-6-1913

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Frederick Charles Cloute, Gaol photo sheet ¹¹

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Gaol Photo Sheet - Transcribed Details

No. 13031

Date when Portrait was taken: 12-6-1913

Name: Frederick Charles Cloute

Native place: Windsor, NSW Year of birth: 8-7-1890 Arrived       Ship: in Colony }   Year: B.S Trade or occupation previous to conviction  } Barman Religion: C of E Education, degree of: R and W Height: 5' 8⅜" Weight     On committal: 147 in lbs     } On discharge: Colour of hair: Brown Colour of eyes: Brown

Marks or special features: Wears nine false teeth top and four false lower jaw, scars top of head and on right upper lip, long scar on left buttock

(No. of previous Portrait ... )  CONVICTIONS Convicted with Lionel Leslie Linforth
Where and When				Offence.	Sentence
Sydney Q.S	11	6	1913	Indecent assault on a male person	9 months Hl suspended under 1st offenders act. Recognisance self in £50 and one surety in £50 to be of behaviour for 12 months. Recognisance entered into in court and discharged 12-6-1913

 

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L Leslie Linforth, 1915

Singleton Argus, Sat 23 Jan 1915 ¹²

BROUGHTON GRAMMAR SCHOOL AND
BUSINESS COLLEGE,

Singleton

————

    The Principal desires to draw attention to the fact that he has been successful in securing the services of

MR HERBERT BRODIE,

    Lately Principal of Smith Premier Business College, Sydney,

    And that a Complete Business Training, including Shorthand, Typewriting, Book-Keeping, etc, will be added to the Ordinary School Curriculum.

Special Classes will also be held both Day and Night.
MR L LESLIE LINFORTH,
Certificated Teacher of Music

    Will also practice his Profession in connection with the School.

    Arrangements with regard to Fees can be made so that they may include all Subjects or Special Subjects only, and be made payable Quarterly or Monthly in advance.

    The aim of the School is to turn out Pupils fully equipped for the battle of life, healthy in body, sound in mind, and trustworthy in morals.

    An opportunity is now given to the people of the district to show that they appreciate the efforts being made for the well-being of the rising generation.

————
EXCELLENT ACCOMODATION FOR BOARDERS.

LIONEL NYE, Principal.

 

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¹     Truth, (Syd, NSW), Sun 11 May 1913, p. 11. Emphasis added.

²     Evening News, (Sydney, NSW), Tue 19 Nov 1912, p. 3.

“THE LARGEST SKATING RINK IN AUSTRALIA.

       This rink is being erected at the corner of Ebley and Rattray streets, Bondi Junction, for Mr Horace Turner, and will have the largest floor space of any rink in Australia. The roof of the Main Rink is a single span of about one hundred feet. There will also be an open air and beginners’ rink overlooking Centennial Park, which will allow the rink to remain open during the summer months. It is one of the most centrally situated rinks in Sydney. Bondi Junction includes the whole of Woollahra, Waverley, and the Bellevue Hill line. One Penny Tram Sections from Randwick, Bronte, Paddington, and Darlinghurst. Ample gallery and other accommodation has been provided. The Architect is Roscoe J Collins, the Equitable Buildings, George-street, under whose supervision the work is being carried out.”

³     The Dubbo Liberal and Macquarie Advocate, Tue 15 Jun 1915, p. 2. Emphasis added.

“CHANGED THEIR NAMES

       In last week’s “Government Gazette” several residents of the State advertise that they have changed their German names, Emil Paul Hosh to Eric Gordon-Hume; Carl Friedrich Doetsch to Charles Fred Kelaher; John William Schecker to John William Hunt.”

⁴     Evening News, (Sydney, NSW), Mon 27 Jun 1910, p. 6. Emphasis added.

“BONDI LIFE-SAVERS.
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       The Bondi Surf Bathers’ Life Saving Club held a smoke concert at its rooms, Bondi Beach, on Friday night. Mr WH Kelly, MP, was present, and handed over the Roth Challenge Shield, and medals attached to it, to the winning team—Messrs £ Stewart, G Linsley, Carl Doetsch, and W Thomas. The shield was won in open competition at Drummoyne Baths in February last. Mr L Orrmsby instructed the victors. During the evening Mr Kelly, on behalf of the club membe4rs, presented Mr Doetsch with a set of carvers as a wedding gift. Mr Doetsch was married to Miss Grace Kelaher at St Francis’ Church, Paddington, this morning.”

⁵     The Daily Telegraph, Tue 12 Jun 1913, p. 6.

⁶     The Sydney Morning Herald, Thu 12 Jun 1913, p. 6.

⁷     The Daily Telegraph, Fri 13 Jun 1913, p. 5.

⁸     The Sydney Morning Herald, Fri 13 Jun 1913, p. 5.

⁹     Windsor and Richmond Gazette, Sat 21 Jun 1913, p. 3.

¹⁰   SRNSW: NRS2138, [3/6082], Darlinghurst Gaol photographic description book, 1912-1913, No. 13030, p.192, R5116.

¹¹   SRNSW: NRS2138, [3/6082], Darlinghurst Gaol photographic description book, 1912-1913, No. 13031, p.193, R5116.

¹²   Singleton Argus, Sat 23 Jan 1915, p. 7. Emphasis added.

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