Below also see: Ernest Middleton, 1923 – Indecent assault,
Ernest Middleton, 1926 – Indecent assault

 

The Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers’ Advocate, Sat 27 Jul 1918 1

BREVITIES.
———◦———

…
    Ernest Arthur Williams, alias Dunne, convicted on Friday at Liverpool Court on a charge of larceny, has given notice of appeal.
…

LIVERPOOL.
———◦———

…

A HIDE THIEF CAUGHT.

    A smart piece of work by Sergeant FH Gibson last week resulted in a man named Ernest Arthur Williams, alias Henry Dunn (33) receiving a sentence of seven months’ imprisonment at the Liverpool Police Court on Friday. Dunn (or Williams) was charged with breaking and entering the store of Messrs EJ Ashcroft and Sons, 2 and stealing two hides (valued at £6) and also with stealing one barrow (valued at £1) from the same firm on July 12. Sergeant [Fred Henry] Gibson gave evidence that on the road leading from the slaughter-house to Campbelltown-road he saw a man’s tracks. They were 13 inches in length and 4 inches across. There was also the track of a wheelbarrow which witness followed for about a quarter of a mile to Charles-street. Took accused’s boots and compared them with tracks he had covered up. They corresponded exactly. In the lockup accused made a statement, after being cautioned. He said: “Well, sergeant, I’ll tell the truth. I took the hides. I’ll tell you where they are. I’ll make a clean breast of it, only I don’t want you to say I denied it in the first place.” Constable Morressey stated that accused said to him: “I did break into Ashcroft’s store, but did not take seven hides.”

    Leslie James Ashcroft deposed that he had given accused temporary work at the slaughter-house.

    Bernerg Reilly, of Smail-street, Glebe, stated that on July 13 accused sold him a hide. The magistrate reduced the charge to one of larceny. For the defence, accused told a long story about meeting a couple of men in Sydney. The men came to Liverpool and walked up Campbelltown-road with him. As they passed Ashcroft’s slaughter-house one of the man said: “What about that place down there?” He could not get work and so was driven to steal as he could not support his wife and child. Accused declined to say if he had served various sentences in England, also why he was dismissed from the Garrison Artillery. 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~


Ernest Arthur Williams, Gaol photo sheet 3

SRNSW: NRS2467, [3/6099], State Penitentiary photographic description book, 3 Aug 1918-24 Jan 1919, No. 16280, p. –.


Gaol Photo Sheet - Transcribed Details

No. 16280

Date when Portrait was taken: 30-8- 1918

Name: Ernest Arthur Williams
(aka Henry Dusin)

Native place: Boston US America

Year of birth: 21-5-1885

Arrived       Ship: Glad Eagle  or Texas
in Colony }   Year: 1911

Trade or occupation
previous to conviction  } Cook

Religion: C of E

Education, degree of: R&W

Height: 6' 0¾"

Weight     On committal: 189
in lbs     } On discharge:

Colour of hair: Brown to Grey

Colour of eyes: Blue

Marks or special features: Anchor above Cross on steps above hands above heart two anchors & cross hearts outside left forearm. Flower flags clasped hands & heart inside left forearm. Outline of sailor. Union Jack & clasped hands outside right forearm. Dancing girl inside right forearm. Right both middle finger and little fingers injured & crooked

(No. of previous Portrait ... ) 

CONVICTIONS

Where and When

Offence.

Sentence

England

East Kent Sessions

Dover County PC

Scotland

Glasgow

England

Maidstone PC
ditto

New South Wales

Liverpool PC
      lodged


Parramatta Q.S

 

27

  5

 

  1

 

26
26

 

19
20


  6

 

6

8

 

1

 

1
1

 

7
7


9

 

1911

1912

 

1915

 

1915
1915

 

1918
1918


1918

 

Indecent assault

Indecent assault on a boy
8 years of age

 

Fraudulently obtain board
and lodging

 

Wife desertion
Wife desertion

 

1) Stealing
2) Stealing


Appeals dismissed

 

12 months Imprisonment

6 months HL

 

20 days HL

 

1 month HL
2 months HL

 

6 months HL
1 month H.L.  |  accumulative
Appealed against both
sentences 22-7-1918

Convictions affirmed
£5. 5. 0 costs to be paid

 


Ernest Middleton, 1923 – Indecent assault

The Maitland Daily Mercury, Mon 5 Mar 1923 4

KURRI KURRI.
———◦———
(From our Representative).
————

…

VAGRANCY CHARGE.

    Ernest Middleton (40), was before the Kurri Police Court this morning on a charge of vagrancy at Weston. He was remanded till Wednesday.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Maitland Daily Mercury, Thu 8 Mar 1923 5

KURRI KURRI.
———◦———
(From Our Representative).
————
Kurri Police Court.

Kurri, Thursday.

    Before Major Crane, PM,
…

————

    At the Police Court on Wednesday morning, Major FWC Crane, PM,
…

————
SERIOUS CHARGE.

    At the Kurri Police Court, Ernest Middleton, 40, was remanded for 14 days on charges of vagrancy and indecent assault. Bail in £60, or two sureties of a like amount, was allowed.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate, Thu 8 Mar 1923 6

KURRI KURRI.
————
POLICE COURT.

    Mr FWC Crane, PM, occupied the bench at the Kurri Kurri Police Court yesterday.

    Ernest Middle, a stranger, was charged that on March 4, 1923, at Kurri Kurri, he was an idle and disorderly person, having insufficient lawful means of support. Sergeant Stein asked for an adjournment for fourteen days. The remand was granted, bail being allowed, self in £10, and one surety of £10. Defendant was further charged with having, at Kurri, on February 27, 1923, improperly assaulted Edward Francis Brown. A similar adjournment was granted. Defendant said he had no objection to the remand, but asked for counsel to defend him. Mr Crane explained that defendant could be provided with counsel if he was committed for trial. Sergeant Stein asked that the bail be made substantial. He had good reasons for asking that. Bail was fixed, self in £50, and one surety in £50.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Newcastle Sun, Thu 22 Mar 1923 7

AMONG THE GRAVES
———◦———
SERIOUS OFFENCE ALLEGED
————
KURRI MAN COMMITTED FOR TRIAL
————
WHAT HAPPENED IN THE CEMETERY
————

    Ernest Middleton, a tall, well-built man, of 40, was at Kurri police court committed for trial for assaulting Francis Brown, 14, in Kurri cemetery, committal being to the East Maitland Quarter Sessions on April 10. Bail, self in £50 and one surety in £50, was allowed.

    On a charge of vagrancy, an adjournment was granted till April 18. Bail, self in £10, was allowed.

    Sergeant Toohey, of Weston, deposed that he arrested accused on Sunday, February 27, at Hebburn Colliery on a charge of having insufficient means of support. Witness had had several complaints one regarding a boy named Jenkins. Accused had a sugar bag and billy can, two other sugar bags of his containing some clothing and cuttings from newspapers had been left at the railway station ast Weston. There were also many hundreds of pictures of little boys and women in accused’s possession—mostly partly nude. Witness did not at the time of arrest know anything about a lad named Francis Brown, of mention to accused an assault in the scrub on that boy.

    To Accused: You were in the same condition of health then as now, only you are cleaner to-day.

PICKED OUT OF SEVEN

    Senior Sergeant Stein  deposed that a complaint was made to him on February 27 by a boy named Francis Edward Brown, aged 14. On March 7 accused was lined up with six others and Brown picked him out. Witness charged accused with the offence. Accused asked that an old man who walked through the cemetery with a stick, and also a grave-digger, be produced, and he would prove where he was at the time of the alleged offence—that he was watching, having heard that men were interfering with little boys and girls in the scrub, and if he caught them he would bring them to witness, dead or alive. When confronted with John Hale (the old man) and J Ford (caretaker) the accused asked Hale a number of questions about his presence in the cemetery at different times.

    Accused denied to witness that he was in the cemetery at the hour stated in the charge—6 pm to 6.30 pm.

    To Accused: I did not tell the boy that I had you in the police station when he came to identify you, nor that I had arrested a man in a soldier’s hat and blue clothes.

    After luncheon the evidence was heard with closed doors.

    J Ford, caretaker of the cemetery deposed to accused’s presence in the cemetery at several times, and to his statements that he (accused) was looking out for an offender against women and children.

    The lad, Francis Edward Brown, gave evidence that he was tending his father’s grave on the evening in question and was approached by accused. He detailed what occurred. Immediately after witness got home he told a neighbor, and the police were informed.

OLD MAN WATCHED

    By Accused: An elderly man, Hale, who arrived, sat on a seat where he could see them. Accused suggested they had better get away at once.

    John Hale, a retired miner, and the boy’s mother have corroborative evidence.

    Seth Jenkins, aged 11, made a statement that a man like accused invited him into the waiting-room at Weston railway station on the night of the 27th, and assaulted him.

    George Montgomery, special constable at Hebburn colliery, deposed to have seen accused several times, and on the night referred to by the second lad the latter made a complaint. Witness had seen accused at the railway station that night.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Maitland Daily Mercury, Fri 23 Mar 1923 8

KURRI KURRI.
———◦———
(From our Representative.)

…

COMMITTED ON SERIOUS
CHARGE.

    Ernest Middleton, a stalwart athletic-looking man of 40, was committed for trial at East Maitland Quarter Sessions on April 8 on a charge of indecent assault on February 27, in Kurri cemetery. Portion of the evidence was heard with closed doors. Bail self in £50 and one surety of £50 was allowed.

    On a charge of vagrancy, accused was remanded till April 10; bail self in £10.

    Accused reserved his defence on the first charge and applied, under the Poor Prisoners Act, for legal assistance.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Maitland Daily Mercury, Wed 11 Apr 1923 9

QUARTER SESSIONS.

…
    Before his Honor Judge Hamilton at the Maitland Quarter Sessions yesterday afternoon
…

A SERIOUS CHARGE.

    Ernest [Arthur] Middleton [aka William Ernest Arthur (or Henry) Dunn; Ernest Arthur Williams] pleaded not guilty to having on February 27 at Kurri Kurri indecently assaulted a boy [Francis Edward Brown] of the age of 14 years.

    Mr Dawson, in putting the case to the jury, said the offence was alleged to have been committed in the Kurri Kurri cemetery, [97 Barton Street, Kurri Kurri]. The details were most disgusting.

    When the evidence for the prosecution had closed, accused [Ernest Middleton] made a statement from the dock. He denied the offence and said he was not in the cemetery on the day in question.

    The jury after half an hour’s retirement returned a verdict of not guilty.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate, Thu 12 Apr 1923 10

MAITLAND DISTRICT.
———◦———
MAITLAND QUARTER SESSIONS
————

    The Maitland Quarter Sessions were resumed at the courthouse, East Maitland, yesterday, before his Honor Judge Hamilton.
…

ALLEGED ASSAULT.

    Ernest Middleton was charged with having at Kurri Kurri on February 27, indecently assaulted male person. Accused, who was not represented, pleaded not guilty. The evidence was that the alleged assault took place in the Kurri Kurri District Cemetery on the day in question shortly after six o’clock in the evening. The accused denied the offence. Addressing the jury accused said there was no proof that he committed the offence. The case had been put up against him to get him out of Kurri Kurri and Weston. The jury retired at 2.40 pm, and returned into court at 3.0 pm with a verdict of not guilty. Accused was remanded to his former custody. His Honor emphasised the necessity of the police being careful in obtaining statements from children, and if possible to secure corroborative evidence. He was not finding fault with the jury as they could not have brought in any other verdict, but he personally thought accused was guilty. He was not blaming the police either. His Honor concluded, “These cases are continually failing from such reasons.”

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Maitland Weekly Mercury, Sat 14 April 1923 11

QUARTER SESSIONS.
———◦———
Tuesday, April 10.
————
(Before His Honor Judge Hamilton).

    The Quarter Sessions opened at the East Maitland Courthouse on Tuesday, before his Honor Judge Hamilton, Mr GS Waller, Deputy Sheriff, occupied a seat beside his Honor.

    Mr AF Dawson was Crown Prosecutor.
…

A SERIOUS CHARGE.

    Ernest Middleton pleaded not guilty to having on February 27 at Kurri Kurri indecently assaulted a boy of the age of 14 years.

    Mr Dawson,, in putting the case to the jury, said the offence was alleged to have been committed in the Kurri Kurri cemetery. The details were most disgusting.

    When the evidence for the prosecution had closed, accused made a statement from the dock. He denied the offence and said he was not in the cemetery on the day in question.

    The jury after half an hour’s retirement returned a verdict of not guilty.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Maitland Daily Mercury, Wed 18 Apr 1923 12

KURRI POLICE COURT.
———◦———
Wednesday, April 18.

    Though there were not half the average number of cases at the police court this morning, nearly all were defended, and lengthy evidence was taken on both sides. It is unlikely the list will be got through to-day.
…
    Ernest Middleton, with an international record (stealing in England, refusing to pay for accommodation in Scotland, wife desertion in England and stealing at Parramatta) was sentenced to three months’ hard labour for having no lawful visible means of support at Weston last month. It was stated that defendant had posed as a German and had been two years in the Holdsworthy Concentration Camp till it was found that his father was an army captain then serving in the war and that defendant was born in India. Mr E Banfield appeared for Middleton, who stated that he intended to appeal.

 


Ernest Middleton, 1926 – Indecent assault


The Sydney Morning Herald, Mon 10 May 1926 13

LAW NOTICES.
Monday, May 10.

…

QUARTER SESSIONS.

    No. 1 Court.— Harrie Talbot Woods, John O’Donnell, and William Henry Nicholas, threatening to publish a certain matter to extort a valuable thing.

    No. 2 Court.— Frederick Charles Inskip, maliciously wounding; Ernest Arthur Middleton, indecency;
…

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Sydney Morning Herald, Tue 11 May 1926 14

QUARTER SESSIONS.

…

No. 2 Court.
(Before Judge Rolin.)

    Crown Prosecutor, Mr WT Coyle, KC.
…

INDECENT ASSAULT.

    Ernest Arthur Middleton [Ernest Middleton] was charged with having indecently assaulted a boy [Stanley Chaytor, 11] at Sydney, on March 29. He was convicted and sentenced to three years’ imprisonment with hard labour.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~


Ernest Arthur Middleton, Gaol photo sheet 15

SRNSW: NRS2467, [3/6116], State Penitentiary photographic description book, 30 Dec 1925-2 Jun 1926, No. 21609, p. –.


Gaol Photo Sheet - Transcribed Details

No. 21609

Date when Portrait was taken: 11-5-1926

Name: Ernest Arthur Middleton
(aka Ernest Arthur Williams, Henry Dunn)

Native place: US America

Year of birth: 21-5-1885

Arrived       Ship: Glad Eagle
in Colony }   Year: 1911

Trade or occupation
previous to conviction  } Cook

Religion: C of E

Education, degree of: R & W

Height: 6' 0¾"

Weight     On committal: 187
in lbs     } On discharge:

Colour of hair: Brown to Grey

Colour of eyes: Blue

Marks or special features: Anchor above cross on steps above harp above two and rose heart & cross outside left forearm. Flowers flags & clasped hands & heart inside left forearm. Outline of sailor union jack & clasped hands outside right forearm. Dancing girl inside right forearm. Both middle and little fingers injured & crooked.

(No. of previous Portrait .. 16280 ) 

CONVICTIONS

Where and When

Offence.

Sentence

Newcastle PC

Kurri Kurri PC

Sydney Q.S.

21

18

10

10

  4

  5

1921

1923

1926

Vagrancy

ditto

Indecent assault on a male person

14 days HL.

3 months HL

3 years HL

And 5 previous convictions for which See Photo Nos. as above


~ ~ ~ ~ ~


Ernest Arthur Middleton, Gaol photo sheet 16

SRNSW: NRS2327, [3/5992], Maitland Gaol Photograph description sheets, 1875-1930, No. 2063, p. 30, R5132.


Gaol Photo Sheet - Transcribed Details

No. 2063
Maitland

Date when Portrait was taken: 21-8-1928

Name: Ernest Arthur Middleton
(aka Ernest Arthur Williams, Henry Dunn)

Native place:

Year of birth:

Arrived       Ship:
in Colony }   Year:

Trade or occupation
previous to conviction  }

Religion:

Education, degree of:

Height:

Weight     On committal:
in lbs     } On discharge:

Colour of hair:

Colour of eyes: 

 

Marks or special features:

(No. of previous Portrait .. 16280, 21609 ) 

CONVICTIONS

Where and When

Offence.

Sentence

 

 

 

 

 

 

For previous convictions see Photo Nos. as above

 

1     The Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers’ Advocate (Parramatta), Sat 27 Jul 1918, pp. 1, 5. Emphasis added.

2     Liverpool News, Thu 13 Jun 1940, p. 3.

“EJ ASHCROFT AND SONS
Pty Ltd.

The‟Quality Corner” Butchery

    The town of Liverpool is steeped in tradition. Memories of the earliest days of the colony can be found in the history of its growth, yet its modern business houses are signposts of the future. In the year 1810 Governor Macquarie founded the town, and it was only 20 years later that Mr EJ Ashcroft followed the first pioneers and established the butchering business which to-day bears his name. Messrs LJ, ET, and CA Ashcroft, sons of the founder of the business, and Mr EJ Ashcroft, grandson of the founder, are the present principals.

    This is one of the largest butchering businesses in the wholesale and export trade in Australia, and its extensive activities spread to some extent when the slaughtering of all stock at the city abattoirs was enforced. It was incorporated as a proprietary company a few years ago.

    Mr ET Ashcroft supervises the Liverpool retail section of the business, and Mr CA Ashcroft the mutton and lamb section, both for export and wholesale trade.

    Mr LJ Ashcroft (Chairman of Directors), who supervises the wholesale and export trade of beef, pork and veal, has served a number of terms as an Alderman of the Municipal Council, and has occupied the Mayoral chair on several occasions. He is a life member of the AH and I Society; a member of the Meat Advisory Council to the Metropolitan Meat Industry Commission; a member of the Scientific and Industrial Research Society; a Churchwarden of St Luke’s Church; and a trustee of the Soldiers’ Memorial School of Arts. In addition, he is a Director of Australian Steel Split Pulleys (Flemington, NSW), which is principally financed by Liverpool capital, and, besides manufacturing steel split pulleys, is now manufacturing motor car wheels and rims.

    “Quality Corner” is the popular name for the extensive store maintained by this company, which was erected on the site of the original shop. Stock is specially selected by one of the principals, who is recognised as one of the State’s best buyers, therefore clients can always be assured of obtaining the best and primest meat.”

3     SRNSW: NRS2467, [3/6099], State Penitentiary photographic description book, 3 Aug 1918-24 Jan 1919, No. 16280, p. –.

4     The Maitland Daily Mercury, Mon 5 Mar 1923, p. 2.

5     The Maitland Daily Mercury, Thu 8 Mar 1923, p. 6.

6     Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate, Thu 8 Mar 1923, p. 6. Emphasis added.

7     The Newcastle Sun, (NSW), Thu 22 Mar 1923, p. 6. Emphasis added and in original text.

8     The Maitland Daily Mercury, Fri 23 Mar 1923, p. 6.

9     The Maitland Daily Mercury, Wed 11 Apr 1923, p. 4. Emphasis added.

10   Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate, Thu 12 Apr 1923, p. 6.

11   The Maitland Weekly Mercury, Sat 14 April 1923, p. 5.

12   The Maitland Daily Mercury, Wed 18 Apr 1923, p. 4.

13   The Sydney Morning Herald, Mon 10 May 1926, p. 7. Emphasis added.

14   The Sydney Morning Herald, Tue 11 May 1926, p. 6.

15   SRNSW: NRS2467, [3/6116], State Penitentiary photographic description book, 30 Dec 1925-2 Jun 1926, No. 21609, p. –.

16   SRNSW: NRS2327, [3/5992], Maitland Gaol Photograph description sheets, 1875-1930, No. 2063, p. 30, R5132.

 

Indecent Assault