Northern Times, Wed 16 Jan 1918 1

CHARGE UNDER
CRIMES ACT.
———◦———

    Harold Brian Baker (51), steward, appeared at Newcastle Police Court to-day to answer a charge, under the Crimes Act, of wilful indecency. After having heard the evidence of several witnesses, Mr Butler, SM, committed defendant for trial at Newcastle Quarter Sessions on February 5.

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Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate, Thu 17 Jan 1918 2

NEWCASTLE POLICE COURT.
———◦———
Wednesday, January 16.
————
(Before Mr CF Butler, SM.)

…

COMMITTED FOR TRIAL.

    Harold Brian Baker, 51, steward, was committed for trial at the Newcastle Quarter Sessions, in February, on a charge of improper behaviour.

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Northern Times, Tue 5 Feb 1918 3

QUARTER SESSIONS
———◦———
PLEAS OF GUILTY
————

…

ALLEGED INDECENCY.

    Harold Brian Baker, a middle-aged steward, was presented on a charge of indecent exposure.

    Mr JD O’Sullivan appeared for accused, by assignment from the Crown.

    After evidence for the prosecution, the accused entered the witness box, and on oath denied that he was guilty.

    Judge Fitzhardinge’s summing-up was distinctly against the accused.

    The jury returned a verdict of guilty, but recommended prisoner to the mercy of the court.

    Mr O’Sullivan handed to the Judge a number of discharges from ships on which Baker had worked as a steward or assistant cook. He had had a long and honourable career.

    After perusing the discharges, Judge Fitzhardinge requested Inspector Master at Newcastle if there was any vacancy for a steward or cook, and to report to him.

    Baker was then remanded for sentence till to-morrow morning.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate, Wed 6 Feb 1918 4

QUARTER SESSIONS.
——–—•———–
Tuesday, February 5.
———
(Before His Honor Judge Fitzhardinge.)
———

    Mr AF Dawson, Crown Prosecutor.
…

TO SEA OR NOT TO SEA.

    Harold Brien [aka Brian] Baker, ship’s cook, denied two charges of improper behaviour [lewdness] at Newcastle on January 16. By assignment from the Crown, Mr TD O’Sullivan defended him. The jury returned with a verdict of guilty, with a strong recommendation to mercy on account of the exposed position of the building where the offences took place. In reply to the Judge, accused said he would take a boat that night if he could get a job. His Honor instructed Inspector [Augustus Abraham] Hojel to make inquiries from the shipping master as to whether he could place a cook or steward. Baker was then remanded until ten o’clock this morning.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Northern Times, Wed 6 Feb 1918 5

QUARTER SESSIONS
SENTENCE.
———◦———
THREE MONTHS’ GAOL.
————

Staff and residents outside Sailors’ home, Scott Street, Newcastle. Image: NSW State Library collection. Reproduction: Peter de Waal
Staff and residents outside Sailors’ home, Scott Street, Newcastle.
Image: NSW State Library collection. Reproduction: Peter de Waal

    Harold Brian Baker, who was at Newcastle Quarter Sessions yesterday found guilt of an offence, was called up for sentence at noon to-day.

    The Superintendent of the Sailors’ Home Newcastle, was present. He informed Judge Fitzhardinge that there was a vacancy for a steward on a sailing vessel, but Baker, who is a steward, declined to sign on for anything but a steamer.

    Judge Fitzhardinge then sentenced Baker to three months’ imprisonment with hard labour in Maitland Gaol.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate, Thu 7 Feb 1918 6

QUARTER SESSIONS.
——–—•———–

    His Honor Judge Fitzhardinge presided at the Newcastle Quarter Sessions yesterday.

    Harold Brien Baker, ship’s cook, who was found guilty on Tuesday of two charges of improper behaviour, was sentenced to three months’ imprisonment yesterday. His Honor was willing to release Baker if he could be placed on an oversea vessel as a cook or steward, and when the case was mentioned yesterday, Mr H Samuels, superintendent of the Sailors’ Home, stated that Baker could join a boat bound for America. To the surprise of the court, Baker declined the offer, preferring a shorter trip. His Honor said he had no option but to send him to gaol. After the jury announced the verdict on Tuesday, accused told the Judge that he would leave by a boat that night if he could get one.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~


Harold Brian Baker, Gaol photo sheet 7

SRNSW: NRS2327, [3/5990], Maitland Gaol Photograph description sheets, 1875-1930, No. 1745, p. 159, R5131.


Gaol Photo Sheet - Transcribed Details

No. 1745
Maitland

Date when Portrait was taken: 16 April 1918

Name: Harold Brian Baker

Native place: England

Year of birth: 2-1-1867

Arrived       Ship: Alangta
in Colony }   Year: 1817 [sic]

Trade or occupation
previous to conviction  } Steward

Religion: Ch of Eng

Education, degree of: R & W

Height: 5' 4¾"

Weight     On committal: 123
in lbs     } On discharge:

Colour of hair: Brown to grey

Colour of eyes: Brown

Marks or special features: Scar left wrist. Varicose veins right leg

(No. of previous Portrait ... ) 

CONVICTIONS

Where and When

Offence.

Sentence

Newcastle Q.S

5

2

1918

Indecent Exposure

3 months HL

 

1     Northern Times, (Newcastle, NSW), Wed 16 Jan 1918, p. 1. Emphasis added.

2     Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate, Thu 17 Jan 1918, p. 2.

3     Northern Times, (Newcastle, NSW), Tue 5 Feb 1918, p. 5.

4     Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate, Wed 6 Feb 1918, p. 2.

5     Northern Times, (Newcastle, NSW), Wed 6 Feb 1918, p. 5.

6     Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate, Thu 7 Feb 1918, p. 3.

7     SRNSW: NRS2327, [3/5990], Maitland Gaol Photograph description sheets, 1875-1930, No. 1745, p. 159, R5131.

 

Indecent Exposure