The Newcastle Sun, Wed 6 Apr 1921 ¹

WITNESSES NOT BELIEVED
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BOYS’ OFFENCES
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POLICE EVIDENCE STANDS
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    Two boys of 16, William Jones and Harold Thompson, were charged with offences before the Newcastle Court to-day. The only evidence for the prosecution was that of Constable Cross. The two defendants and four other witnesses gave evidence in direct contradiction to that of the constable, but Mr Longfield, SM, said he did not believe the evidence of any one of these witnesses. He did not believe that the constable would deliberately swear to those things if they were not true.

    Thompson was charged with an indecent offence, and Jones with the use of bad language at the same time. Mr James defended. Three girls, whose ages ranged from 14 to 16 years, gave evidence for the defence. The magistrate said that if he had any doubt he would give the defendants the benefit of it. He believed the girls gave the boys encouragement. For this reason he applied the provisions of the First Offenders Act to Thompson, whom he sentenced to 14 days hard labor, to be suspended on securities of £10 being found for his good behavior for 12 months.

    Jones was fined £1, or seven days.

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Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate, Thu 7 Apr 1921 ²

NEWCASTLE POLICE COURT.
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Wednesday, April 6.
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(Before Mr M Longfield, Deputy SM.)

…

SUMMONS DIVISION.

…

YOUTHS DEALTH WITH.

    William Jones, boilermaker’s apprentice, Elizabeth-street, Tighe’s Hill, was fined £1, with the alternative of seven days’ imprisonment, for having used improper language at Tighe’s Hill.

    Harold Thompson, 16 years of age, living at 3 Greenway-street, Wickham, was sentenced to 14 days’ imprisonment, for improper behaviour, and released as a first offender under sureties of £10, to be of good behaviour for twelve months. Mr James appeared for defendants, who pleaded not guilty, and had their cases heard together.

¹     The Newcastle Sun, (NSW), Wed 6 Apr 1921, p. 5. Emphasis added.

²     Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate, Thu 7 Apr 1921, p. 7. Emphasis added.