Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate, Thu 19 Feb 1914 ¹

NEWCASTLE POLICE COURT.
———◦———
Wednesday, February 18.
————
(Before Mr FG Adrian, SM.)

…

COMMITTED FOR TRIAL.

    George Brown (50) labourer, was committed for trial at the Newcastle Quarter Sessions, to be held on May 19th on a serious charge. A charge of stealing 10s. The property of Ethel Pearce, at Newcastle, on February 17th, that had been preferred against the accused, was withdrawn.

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The Maitland Daily Mercury, Tue 24 Feb 1914 ²

MAITLAND QUARTER
SESSIONS.
———◦———
Tuesday, February 24.
————
(Before His Honor Judge Fitzhardinge.)
————

    The February sittings of the Maitland Quarter Sessions were opened at the Courthouse, East Maitland, to-day before His Honor Judge Fitzhardinge. Mr GS Waller, Deputy Sheriff, occupied a seat alongside His Honor. AF Dawson was Crown Prosecutor.

    The legal profession was represented by Mr J Young, barrister, and Messrs Jas HF Waller, TA Hill, WJ Enright, AH James, and TAI Braye, solicitors.
…

AN UNNATURAL OFFENCE.

    George Brown, described as a bootmaker, pleaded not guilty to a charge of having, at Newcastle, on February 17th instant, committed an unnatural offence.

    Evidence for the prosecution was given by Water-police Constable Dean and two other witnesses, and accused, who was undefended, made a statement on oath, in which he denied the charge, and explained that he had been drinking, and was at the time under the influence of liquor.

    After the jury had been absent throughout the hearing of another case, his Honor had them brought back, and inquired if there was anything he could assist them in.

    The foreman: We would like the medical evidence to go a little further.

    His Honor (smiling): You do not expect to have a doctor on the spot. You have three reputable witnesses who have evidence. His Honor then informed the jury that they could bring in a verdict of attempt on the indictment.

    The foreman: That is a matter we would like to be clear upon.

    His Honor then stated, if he might say so without dictation, that that would be the more reasonable verdict.

    The jurymen consulted and expressed a desire to retire again. After being absent a few minutes, they returned into court, with a verdict of attempt to commit the offence.

    His Honor said that as that was apparently his first serious offence, and he had promised to keep sober in future, he would give him nine months to think over it. He then sentenced him to nine months hard labour in Goulburn Gaol.

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Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate, Wed 25 Feb 1914 ³

MAITLAND DISTRICT.
———◦———
MAITLAND QUARTER SESSIONS.
————
(Before His Honor Judge Fitzhardinge.)

    The Maitland Quarter Sessions were opened before his Honor Judge Fitzhardinge yesterday morning at the court-house, East Maitland. Mr AF Dawson was Crown Prosecutor.
…

SENTENCES.

…
    George Brown pleaded not guilty to a charge of having committed an unnatural offence at Newcastle on the 17th February. Evidence was given by Water-police Constable Dean and two other witnesses. Accused denied guilt, and explained that he was drinking at the time. The jury returned a verdict of guilty, and accused was sentenced to nine months hard labour in Goulburn Gaol.

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George Brown, Gaol photo sheet ⁴ 

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Gaol Photo Sheet - Transcribed Details

No. 13507

Date when Portrait was taken: 2/3/1914

Name: George Brown
(aka George Nash)

Native place: Wallabah NSW Year of birth: 14-4-1868 Arrived       Ship: BS in Colony }   Year: – Trade or occupation previous to conviction  } Bootmaker Religion: C. of E. Education, degree of: R & W Height: 5' 1" Weight     On committal: 116 in lbs     } On discharge: Colour of hair: Dark brown Colour of eyes: Blue

Marks or special features: Scar on outside left wrist, two vaccine marks on right upper arm, two scars on nose.

(No. of previous Portrait ... )  CONVICTIONS
Where and When				Offence.	Sentence
Redfern PC Newcastle PC Maitland Q.S	23 18 24	4 1 2	1908 1914 1914	Wife desertion Drunk Attempt to commit bestiality	Imprison until £9/18/6 be paid 2/6 or 5 minutes HL 9 mths HL

 

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¹     Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate, Thu 19 Feb 1914, p. 2.

²     The Maitland Daily Mercury, Tue 24 Feb 1914, p. 4. Emphasis added.

³     Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate, Wed 25 Feb 1914, p. 6.

⁴     SRNSW: NRS2138, [3/6085], Darlinghurst Gaol photographic description book, 1913-1914, No. 13507, p. 56, R5117.

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