The Spectator, Thu 28 Sep 1922 ¹

WALGETT QUARTER SESSIONS.
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(Before His Honor Judge Mocatta.)
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    The Court of Quarter Sessions opened at Walgett on Tuesday afternoon.

    When Judge Mocatta for the first time, took his seat on the Bench, Mr Kennett, as the senior local representative of his branch of the legal profession, briefly welcomed His Honor and congratulated him and the district on his appointment. His Honor’s practice at the bar had earned him the confidence of the public, and the speaker felt satisfied that when the inevitable time came for his retirement His honor would be thought as highly of as were those distinguished men who had preceded him.

    Mr JM McDonald (Narrabri) also congratulated the Judge, and expressed the opinion of that the knowledge His Honor had gained by his practice amongst the country people, of their habits and their manner of life, must be of immense benefit to all whose interests were committed to the Court.

    Judge Mocatta thanked both speakers for the expressions they had used of welcome and confidence, and said he felt assured of the assistance of the profession which he realised was essential to the due discharge of his duties. They had had faith in him in the past, and he hoped the future would justify that faith and enable him to perform useful service to the country.

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    In dealing with the excuses for non-attendance put forward by several jurymen. His Honor pointed out that the practice of ringing up their friends and asking them to appear and plead for them to be excused, was not a correct one. If a juror had an excuse for non-attendance he should make a statutory declaration to that effect and it would then be in order. In the several cases before the court, His Honor intimated that if the required declarations were made, they would be excused.
    In the case of MJA Feehan, RD Ross, RJ Judge and MJ Egan, there was no appearance and no excuses were offered, and they were each fined 40s.
…
    Robert Bullock was charged with committing an unmentionable offence, [bestiality with a mare ], in the stables of Tattersall’s Hotel, Walgett, on 8th September, 1922.

    Accused, who pleaded not guilty, was undefended.

    The following jury were empannelled [sic]—R Leslie (foreman), SN Vaughan, CH King, W Gordon, AJ Newton, T Greenway, GW McCulloch, J Rowe, RTJ Hall, J Slack Smith, WA Colless and IA Dent.

    After evidence had been given by Constable Hopkins and Sergt Kemp, and His Honor briefly summing up, the jury retired to consider their verdict, and after being absent for about half an hour, returned into court with a verdict of guilty of the attempt, and added a suggestion that accused be sent to a home.

    On being asked if he had anything to say why sentence should not be passed upon him, Bullock said he was not guilty of the offence and was not even guilty of the attempt. He had never been in any trouble, and had never been arrested for any offence, not even drunkenness.

    His Honor, in sentencing accused, said the offence of which he had been found guilty was a very serious one and there could be no doubt about the verdict of the jury being a correct one. Very probably the accused was not altogether responsible for his actions, and in order that he may receive medical attention, he would sentence him to two years’ hard labour in Goulburn gaol, and while there his case would receive attention.

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Robert Bullock, Gaol photo sheet ²

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Gaol Photo Sheet - Transcribed Details

No. 18865

Date when Portrait was taken: 3-10-1922

Name: Robert Bullock

Native place: Mudgee NSW Year of birth: 17-1-1879 Arrived       Ship: in Colony }   Year: BS Trade or occupation previous to conviction  } Laborer Religion: Nil Education, degree of: R & W a little Height: 5' 9" Weight     On committal: 127 in lbs     } On discharge: Colour of hair: Brown to Grey Colour of eyes: Blue

Marks or special features: “R.B.” inside left forearm. Teeth project out upper jaw scar on front of top of head, brown scar on left shin

(No. of previous Portrait ... )  CONVICTIONS
Where and When				Offence.	Sentence
Walgett Q.S	26	9	1922	Attempt to commit bestiality	2 years H.L.

 

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¹     The Spectator, Thu 28 Sep 1922, p. 2. Emphasis added.

²     SRNSW: NRS2467, [3/6108], State Penitentiary photographic description book, 5 Sep 1922-24 Mar 1923, No. 18865, p. –.

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