Percy Robertson, 1905
Below also see: Bloomfield Crosbie, 1913,
Percy Bloomfield and Lizzie Bloomfield, 1924,
Patrick O’Reilly, 1926 – Buggery
The Age, Tue 29 Aug 1905 1
COUNTRY NEWS.
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…
A SHOCKING CHARGE.
Bairnsdale, Monday.
At about 1 o’clock on the morning of 16th inst three young men broke into a weatherboard house in Pearson-street, occupied by Mrs Wee Young, wife of a Chinese. The woman, who was alone at the time, her husband being away working, was in bed, and, being deaf, did not hear the intruders until they awakened her. According to her story, the men dealt with her in a shocking and brutal manner. She attempted to scream, but the ruffians bound clothes round her head, nearly suffocating her. The three miscreants afterwards made off. The victim of the outrage has positively identified one of her assailants as Percy Robertson, a lad 17 year of age. A warrant was issued for the arrest of Robertson, but it was not executed until Saturday night last. When questioned as to his movements on the night of the occurrence, Robertson said he was with another lad, whose name he mentioned, and nowhere near Young’s place. The police ascertained that the man mentioned was away from Bairnsdale at the time, but Robertson refused to say anything further. He was brought before Mr Bull, JP, this morning, and remanded till to-morrow. Bail was allowed, but accused was unable to obtain sureties.
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Bairnsdale Advertiser and Tambo and Omeo Chronicle, Tue 29 Aug 1905 2
THE ADVERTISER.
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Published Every Tuesday, Thursday
and Saturday Morning.
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…
A youth named Percy Robertson [aka Patrick O’Reilly] was arrested by Constable Whitley on Saturday night on a very serious charge in connection with an outrage committed at the Chinese Camp early on the morning of the 16th inst. According to the information supplied to the police it appears that about 1 am on the date mentioned three young men went to the cottage of Pearson street near the Chinese quarters occupied by Mrs Wee Young. They forcibly gained admittance to the place and violently assaulted the solitary occupant. The latter subsequently supplied the police with descriptions of her assailants and swore an information against Robertson, whom she knew. The prisoner, who has maintained a careful silence since his arrest will be brought before the court this morning. Robertson was brought formally before Mr Bull, JP, yesterday and remanded. Bail was allowed in two sureties of £50, but the sureties were not forthcoming. Mr McLaughlin appeared for the accused.
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Geelong Advertiser, Tue 29 Aug 1905 3
A SERIOUS CHARGE.
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A YOUTH ARRESTED.
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Bairnsdale, Monday.
A lad named Percy Robertson was arrested on warrant on Saturday night, charged with assaulting Mrs Wee Young, wife of a Chinese resident of Pearson-street.
Mrs Young has informed the police that at 1 o’clock on Thursday morning, four men broke into her residence, and attacked her.
The police are now endeavoring to find the three men.
Since the retrenchment in the local police force whereby it was reduced to a first-class sergeant, two foot constables, and a mounted man, there has been no patrol after midnight. From that hour till nine o’clock in the morning, the town is without active police protection.
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The Age, Wed 30 Aug 1905 4
COUNTRY NEWS.
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…
CHARGE OF CRIMINAL ASSAULT.
Bairnsdale, Tuesday.
Percy Robertson, a shabbily attired youth of seventeen years, was presented at the police court this morning on a criminal charge of assaulting Mrs Young at her residence, in Pearson-street.
The evidence went to show that Mrs Young was alone in the house on the night of the 15th inst. She locked the place up, and went to bed at 8.30 pm. About 1 am she was awakened by the jolting of the bed. As soon as opened her eyes accused, who was in her bedroom with two other men, snatched up a pillow and pressed it down over her face. She implored the men not to smother her, and screamed as hard as she could, but they placed the bed clothes over her head. The three men then assaulted her in the most brutal manner, taking turns to hold her down. They stayed for some time, and accused picked up the lamp that was in the room, and started to ransack the place for money. He told the others that he wanted to get some money to buy a pair of boots. After her assailants went away the unfortunate woman made her way to the front, where she heard them talking. It was bright moonlight outside, and she distinctly saw the prisoner with a cigarette in his mouth, standing a few feet from the door talking to the other men.
Ah Chung, a Chinese, who lived in a room adjoining Mrs Young’s place, swore that on the night of the outrage accused and two other men fastened him up in his room by tying the door with wire. Accused promised to give him 10/- when they had done what they were going to do. He heard men walking about the place for some time and could distinguish their voices besides that of accused.
Accused, who reserved his defence, was committed for trial at the Supreme Court, Bairnsdale, on 20th September. Bail was allowed in one surety of £50, or two of £25, and accused in his own bond of £50.
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Geelong Advertiser, Wed 30 Aug 1905 5
A SERIOUS CHARGE.
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A YOUTH ACCUSED.
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HE IS SENT FOR TRIAL.
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Bairnsdale, Tuesday.
At the police court to-day, before Mr Holmes, PM, Percy Robertson, a lad of seventeen years, was charged with assaulting with intent Mrs Young, on the morning of the 16th inst.
Accused pleaded not guilty.
Mrs Young deposed that she was a married woman. Her husband, she believed, was dead. On the night of the 15th she went to bed at half-past eight o’clock, having locked the place up. About one next morning she was awakened by a noise. She saw the accused and two others in the room. They pulled the blankets over her face, and prevented her making any more noise. One of the men then assaulted her. After the men left she looked out, and saw the accused quite plainly, standing near the door. It was bright moonlight. He was smoking a cigarette and talking to the other man. [sic]
The witness, continuing, said she afterwards found that several articles had been stolen from the bedroom, together with a small sum of money, which was in a drawer in the looking glass. She had not the slightest doubt about the identity of the accused, having known him for four years. The men, she said, had entered the house by the back door. They had pulled down the shutter from the back window, put their hands through the broken pane, and opened the back door.
Cecilia Mather, a girl twelve years of age, said she lived opposite Mrs Young’s place. On the night of the fifteenth, her little sister was sick, and her mother went to the chemist’s for medicine, leaving her with her little brother in the house alone. Accused and the two other men came there and asked her a lot of questions as to whether her mother was home, and what she was doing. She got frightened, and said her mother was at home, in the bedroom with the baby. The men went away across the road towards Mrs Young.
A Chinese, named Ah Chung, deposed to hearing two or three men in Mrs Young’s house, on the night of the occurrence. He was positive that the accused was one of them, because he had known him four years, and would know his voice among a hundred.
Constable Whitely said that he arrested accused, who gave untruthful replies as to his whereabouts on the night of the assault.
The accused, who reserved his defence, was committed for trial.
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The Argus, Thu 31 Aug 1905 6
FISCAL SPLIT.
…
BAIRNSDALE.—At the Court of Petty Sessions on Tuesday, before Messrs CG Holmes, PM, J Tipping and H Bull, JP’s, a youth named Percy Robertson was charged, on the information of Lucy Wee Yung, [sic] with an offence against her at her house in the Chinese camp. Evidence was given by Mrs Wee Yung that three men entered her house on August 19, [sic] when she was in bed, and that they went to her bedroom. Other evidence was given that three men were in the vicinity, and Robertson was identified as one of them. The accused, who reserved his defence, was committed to stand his trial at the Supreme Court, Bairnsdale, on September 20. A warrant has since been issued for the arrest of one of the other men.
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Bairnsdale Advertiser and Tambo and Omeo Chronicle, Thu 31 Aug 1905 7
Image: Vic State Library collection. Reproduction: Peter de Waal
BAIRNSDALE PETTY
SESSIONS.
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Tuesday, August 29.
(Before Messrs CG Holmes, PM, and
J Tipping and H Bull, JsP.)
…
A SERIOUS CHARGE.
Percy Robertson, a dilapidated-looking youth of 17, was charged with indecently assaulting Emily Wee Young.
Accused, who pleaded not guilty, was defended by Mr McLaughlin. Mr JF Stuart appeared to prosecute.
Mr Stuart said the offence was a very serious one, and the details were most unpleasant. Accused and two others had broken into the house occupied by Mrs Wee Young, near the Chinese camp, and committed a grave outrage.
Emily Wee Young, sworn, said that on the night of Tuesday, 15th inst, she was alone in her house in Pearson street, near the Chinese camp. She went to bed at half-past 8, having locked the doors. One of the panes in a back window was broken, and had a piece of brown paper pasted over it. This pane was very near the door. There was a kerosene lamp burning in the room, but it was turned down low. Between 1 and 2 in the morning she was awakened by somebody shaking the bed. As soon as she opened her eyes a pillow was put over her face, and the blankets were thrown up over her head. Witness said, “My God, don’t smother me!” She tried to scream, also, but was prevented by the blankets being fastened on. She knew who it was that put the pillow over her face. It was the accused, whom she knew as Percy Robertson. She had that morning identified another man, named Barbour. She knew Barbour, having had to order him away from the place several times whilst she was nursing a sick man. The witness then described the assault in detail, the circumstances as narrated being most revolting. She said that accused was afterwards going about the house with a light. The third man, who was a big strong man, told accused to “put out the —– light.” He said, “I want to get some —– money to buy a pair of boots.” The big, strong man was the last of the three to leave. Witness had known accused for four years. He often used to go to the camp with his mother and sister. Accused used to be at the camp every day selling fish. After the three men left her place witness looked out to see who they were. Accused was standing at the door talking to another of the men and smoking a cigarette. Witness saw him quite plainly. It was bright moonlight. Afterwards witness looked through the house to see if there was anything taken. Two razors, some studs and a small sum of money, had been taken. The men got into the house by taking down the shutter over the back window, and opening the door through the broken pane.
To Mr McLaughlin: Her husband, she believed, was dead. He had gone home to China, and “when they go home to China they are dead to all the English women.” She was living with a Chinaman at present, and had been living with him for three years. She did try to scream when the men assaulted her, but the more she screamed the tighter they pulled the blankets over her head.
Ah Chung, an aged Chinese, was called, but owing to the interpreter not having turned up his evidence could not be taken.
Cecilia May Mathers, a girl of 12, said she lived with her mother in McCulloch street. She remembered the night of Tuesday, 15th inst. She remembered it because one of her sisters was sick and her mother had gone away to the chemist’s for medicine. Three men came up to the fence and two went inside. One was a big man and the other was the accused. The tall man knocked at the door and asked her if Mrs Robertson lived there. She said “No.” He asked if she knew where Mrs Robertson lived or if she knew her. She said “No.” He asked her if her mother was at home and she said “Yes.” He said “Where is she?” She replied “in the bedroom putting the baby to bed.” He told her to go and ask her mother if she knew men called Smith and Johnson. She went in and returned to the door and said “No; mother doesn’t know them.” He then said “Well, come to the door and give me a few matches.” Witness replied she had none. The man then got down off the veranda and picked up a big piece of wood off the path and threw it down again. Then he went outside the gate to the other men. They hit some matches and then went over to the other side of the road. She did not know which house they went to. It was towards the Chinese camp. A little while afterwards, after her mother came home they heard tins rattling. She had told the tall man that her mother was at because she was afraid of them. There were only her little brother and her little sister, who was sick, in the house besides herself. Her mother was away till about a quarter past 11.
To Mr McLaughlin: She had never been to the Chinese camp with her mother. Her mother had not told her what to say in evidence. Mrs Wee Young had not been at her place talking to her mother.
Ah Chung was again called, and Ah Pack stepped forward to officiate as interpreter.
Mr Stuart said that he knew Ah Pack was not, in the opinion of the bench, a very good interpreter, but he was the best they good get, and he would ask the bench to accept his services on the present occasion.
Mr Holmes, PM: I regret to say that from his past career I don’t regard him as the acme of an interpreter, from the point of view of veracity. The probability is, however, that he will interpret correctly in the present case, as he has nothing to gain or lose in the case.
The witness, who was sworn on the match, said he had known accused for four or five years. Witness lived at the camp, near Mrs Wee Young. He heard accused on the night of the 15th inst. Accused asked him in pidgeon English where the Chinaman was who lived with Mrs Wee Young. Witness’s’ door was fastened with a piece of wire so that he could not get out. Accused said he would give him some money if he kept quiet. After the witness heard people walking about the building and heard the voices of two or three men.
Mr Stuart then asked witness if he ever got the money. He burst out laughing and said “No fear; he run away.”
To McLaughlin: The witness said that he did not see any of the men, but he heard Robinson’s voice. He knew it very well—and would know it amongst a hundred.
Constable Whitley said that last Saturday he spoke to accused and asked him where he was on Tuesday night, the 15th inst.—the night his father was looking for him till one o’clock in the morning. He said that he had been about the town with young Scouller. There had been another man with him once, when he was Payne’s Hotel. Witness asked him if there was anyone else with him after he left Payne’s. He replied “No.” Witness said “If a girl, a man and a woman say they saw you in the company of two others, it would not be true?” He replied “No.” Witness asked him if he knew Mrs Shanklin. He said he did and that she called at his mother’s place and said that he had been at her place and said that he had been at her place asking for a man named Johnson, and that that was a lie, as he was not there. Constable Mossop was present at the time and he said “Were you in the Chinese camp on that night?” Accused said “No.” Witness then took the warrant out of his pocket and read it over to accused. He said “What have I been doing to her?” Witness then warned him in the usual way and told him if he wanted to make a statement he could do so. Accused said “I have nothing to say.” Witness knew the position of the buildings in the vicinity of the camp. People going across the road from Shanklin’s place would reach Mrs Wee Young’s place first. The plan (produced) was a fairly accurate representation of the ground floor of the building.
Constable Mossop gave corroborative evidence.
Accused, who reserved his defence, was committed to take his trial at the sittings of the Supreme Court at Bairnsdale on 20th September next. Bail was allowed accused in one surety of £50 and his own in a similar sum or two sureties of £25 each and his own in £50.
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Camperdown Chronicle, Thu 31 Aug 1905 8
DISTRICT AND GENERAL SUMMARY.
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…
A lad of 17 years, Percy Robertson, was committed for trial at Bairnsdale for assaulting a woman named Young. It was alleged that accused, with three [sic] others, broke into the woman’s house, and after committing the offence, stole several articles and a small sum of money.
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The Maffra Spectator, Thu 31 Aug 1905 9
THE
MAFFRA SPECTATOR.
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A youth named Percy Robertson was arrested by Constable Whitley, at Bairnsdale, on Saturday night on a very serious charge in connection with an outrage committed at the Chinese Camp early on the morning of the 16th inst. According to the information supplied to the police it appears (says the “Advertiser”) that about 1 am on the date mentioned three young men went to the cottage in Pearson street near the Chinese quarters occupied by Mrs Wee Young. They forcibly gained admittance to the place and violently assaulted the solitary occupant. The latter subsequently supplied the police with descriptions of her assailants and swore an information against Robertson, whom she knew. The prisoner has maintained a perfect silence since his arrest.
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The Age, Fri 22 Sep 1905 10
BAIRNSDALE SUPREME COURT.
Bairnsdale, Thursday.
The Supreme Court sittings were continued to-day.
…
Percy Robertson, aged 18, was found guilty of indecent assault, and was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment, and five lashes. In connection with this case it was stated that two other men supposed to be concerned are still at large. One of them could have been arrested at any time during the week after the police court proceedings, but he was allowed to escape, and now cannot be found.
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BAIRNSDALE.—
…
When the youth Percy Robertson was before the police court recently in connection with the outrage at the Asiatic quarter in Pearson-street, Mrs Young, the victim of the violence, identified a man named Barbour, who was amongst the crowd at the court, as one of the other two men concerned in the assault, declaring that she was quite positive of the man’s identity. It was not until several days afterwards that the police decided to proceed against Barbour, but they then found that he had left the district, and his arrest is still uneffected.
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The Argus, Fri 22 Sep 1905 11
BAIRNSDALE SUPREME COURT.
BAIRNSDALE, Thursday.—In the Supreme Court today, before the Chief Justice, Percy Robertson was charged with having committed an offence on Lucy Wee Young , at the Chinese camp, Bairnsdale, on August 15. The defence endeavoured to establish an alibi, but, after a short deliberation, the jury returned a verdict of indecent assault. Prisoner was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment, with five lashes during the first six months.
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Bairnsdale Advertiser and Tambo and Omeo Chronicle, Sat 23 Sep 1905 12
BAIRNSDALE SUPREME
COURT
———◦———
Thursday, September 21.
Before His Honor, the Chief Justice, and
Juries of Twelve.)
Crown Prosecutor—Mr Gurner.
…
THE CHINESE CAMP CASE.
Percy Robertson was charged with assault with intent on Emily Wee Young at the Chinese camp on 15th August. Prisoner, who pleaded not guilty was defended by Mr McLaughlin.
The following constituted the jury:—Walter S Winson, Geo Waddell, Edward T Hoskin, Jas Shearing, Geo Slocombe, David Crawford, Jas P Morrison, Thos Prout, Thos Coughlan, Geo N Fradet, Matthew H Yates, Robert Jeffreys.
Evidence was given by Emily Wee Young and Ah Chung the Chinaman who lived in the same house, as to the accused and two other men having visited the place at midnight, fastened the Chinese up in his room and committed the offence as already narrated. The corroborative testimony given by the other witnesses examined in the lower court was also repeated.
Ah Pack deposed that he met prisoner in Main street recently and that prisoner said to him “If you are interpreter in the case tell your countrymen not to go hard against me, and I’ll give you £25.”
Elizabeth Robertson, mother of the accused, swore that on the night of 10th August prisoner came home about 12 o’clock. She got up and knocked at her son’s door and spoke to him. That was about 12.30. She had asked her husband that night to search the streets for her son.
To the Crown Prosecutor: She was not living with the man Stewart as his wife. She might have said that Stewart was her brother, but did not know why she had said so. She had not been compelled to leave Mirboo by the police, and did not know how long it was since she had left Mirboo. It was an unusual thing for her son to be out as late as 12 o’clock. She had not said to the police that Barbour was the man who should be connected with the case.
Wm Stewart said he was a boarder at Mrs Robertson’s and occupied one of the back rooms with the accused. We went to bed about 10 o’clock on 15th August. Mrs Robertson knocked at the door and asked if her son was in. Witness struck a light and noticed that it was 12.30. Prisoner was then in bed. Witness got up at 3.30 and saw the prisoner in bed at that time. He was no relation of Mrs Robertson.
To the Crown Prosecutor: He had paid the rent of the house up to five weeks ago. He frequently looked at the time when young Robertson came home, but could give no reason for so doing.
RH Robertson, step-father of the prisoner, deposed that he usually went to bed between 8.30 and 9. On the 15th August he went out to search for him and met Constable Whitley. He got home about 1.30 and saw the prisoner in bed.
To the Crown Prosecutor: He went to bed as a rule between 8.30 and 9, but sometimes got up again. His wife and daughter were not in the habit of being out late at night.
Counsel having addressed the court,
His Honor reviewed the case at some length, but especially pointed out to the jury that it was one in which the question of the woman’s character had not to be considered. The law provided the same protection for all women.
The jury returned a verdict of guilty on the count of indecent assault.
His Honor said he thoroughly concurred in the verdict. If the other men were apprehended, the charge that would have to be preferred against them would be a hanging matter.
Accused was then sentenced to two years’ hard labor, with one flogging of five lashes.
The court then adjourned sine die.
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The Maffra Spectator, Mon 25 Sep 1905 13
BAIRNSDALE SUPREME COURT.
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(Before the Chief Justice).
————
…
THE CHINESE CAMP CASE.
Percy Robertson was presented on a charge of attempting rape and indecent assault on Mrs Wee Yung, at the Chinese camp, Bairnsdale.
The jury brought in a verdict of indecent assault, and accused was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment with hard labor, and was ordered five lashes during the first six months.—“Courier.”
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The Age, Mon 23 Oct 1905 14
A SERIOUS CHARGE.
Bairnsdale, Sunday.
The trial of Thomas Barbour on a charge on criminally assaulting a woman at her house in Pearson-street, on the night of 15th August last, was heard at the police court yesterday.
The principal witness called was Percy Robertson, who is at present undergoing a sentence of two years and a flogging. In September last Robertson made a confession, in which he described in detail how Barbour, himself and a man named Bolivar had broken into the woman’s house, and criminally assaulted her. In the witness box he admitted having made the statement, but he said that some of it was entirely false.
Prisoner, who reserved his defence, was committed for trial at the Supreme Court at Sale on 1st December.
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The Ballarat Star, Mon 23 Oct 1905 15
A PRISONER’S ALLEGATIONS.
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ANOTHER PERSON ACCUSED.
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COMMITTED FOR TRIAL.
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Bairnsdale, Saturday.
At the Police Court this morning Thomas Barbour was brought up on a charge of having, on the 15th August last, assaulted a woman named Emily Wee Young. Accused denied the charge that he on the night of the 15th August that he broke into a house in the Chinese camp here, and assaulted Emily Wee Young. On the 21st ult a man named Percy Robertson, aged 18 years, was convicted at the criminal sittings of the Supreme Court in connection with the case. Robertson was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment, and to receive a whipping of the lashes. It was stated in evidence against Barbour to-day that, since his incarceration in gaol, Robertson had made a statement implicating the accused and another man, whose name was given. In his “confessions,” Robertson, it was stated, had described at length his movements and those of the other men on the night of the affair. Barbour gave evidence on oath. He said that Robertson’s statement was entirely false, and that he, accused, was not with Robertson or the other man on the night of the 15th August, or on any other night. Accused was committed to stand his trial at the criminal sittings of the Supreme Court, to be held at Sale on the 1st December.
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Geelong Advertiser, Mon 23 Oct 1905 16
MELBOURNE.
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(From Our Own Correspondent.)
Saturday.
…
SERIOUS CHARGE.
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A CONVICT’S STATEMENT.
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ACCUSED DENIES ON OATH.
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HE IS COMMITTED FOR TRIAL.
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Bairnsdale, Saturday.
At the police court this morning, Thomas Barbour was brought up on a charge of having, on August 15th last, committed a criminal assault on a woman named Emily Wee Young. Accused denied the charge.
On the evening of August 15th three men broke into a house in the Chinese camp here, and brutally assaulted Emily Wee Young. On the 21st ult a man named Percy Robertson, aged 18 years was convicted at the criminal sittings of the Supreme Court on a charge of indecent assault, in connection with the case. Robertson was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment, and to receive a whipping of five lashes.
It was stated in evidence against Barbour to-day that, since his incarceration in gaol, Robertson had made a statement implicating the accused and another man, whose name was given. In his “confession,” Robertson, it was stated, had described at length his movements, and those of the other men, on the night of the affair.
Barbour gave evidence of oath. He said that Robertson’s statement was entirely false, and that he (accused) was not with Robertson or the other man on the night of August 15th, or on any other night.
Accused was committed to stand his trial at the criminal sittings of the Supreme Court, to be held at Sale on December 1st.
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Bairnsdale Advertiser and Tambo and Omeo Chronicle, Tue 5 Dec 1905 17
THE CHINESE CAMP CASE.
———◦———
Barbour Acquitted at Sale.
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The trial of Thos Barbour on a capital charge in connection with the Bairnsdale Chinese camp outrage took place at Sale on Friday.
Accused was defended by Mr Maxwell (instructed by Mr Conant).
The evidence was similar to that given in the Bairnsdale Court of Petty Sessions.
After deposing that accused was one of the men who assaulted her on the night of August 15, Emily Wee Young said that she complained to her landlord next day, but did not mention Barbour’s name. She said she did not make any outcry at the time, neither did she complain to any of her neighbours. See went to the police station, but there was only a woman there, and it was not until some days later, when a man named Robertson was being tried for the offence at the Bairnsdale police court, that she mentioned Barbour in the case, and he was then outside the court. She pointed him out to Constable Whitley as being one of the men, but the constable did not arrest him.
Constable Howard was next called, but his Honor said he first wanted to hear Constable Whitley’s explanation as to way [sic] he did not make the arrest.
Constable Whitley deposed that on 29th August Percy Robertson was being tried at the Bairnsdale court for an offence against Emily Wee Young. Accused was standing opposite the court. Wee Young was at the intersection of Bailey and Nicholson streets, and she called witness over and said, indicating accused, “There’s one of the men over there.” Accused was standing between two other men. Witness and the woman approached the men, and witness said, in their hearing, “Which one of these men do you refer to?” and she pointed to Barbour. Witness said nothing to Barbour, and nothing was said or done since. He did not arrest accused as he had doubts as to whether Barbour had been on the premises on the Saturday night, from what the woman had told him, and she had not previously mentioned Barbour’s name. She had mentioned Robertson’s name, and he thought it quite possible she was making a mistake. He consulted his sergeant in the matter.
His Honor: I don’t think any jury under the sun can convict on this evidence, and I shall direct them not to. It would be unsafe to do so. The woman did not call out for assistance, did not mention accused’s name in this matter, and did not complain to the neighbours—most natural thing to do. It is for the jury to say whether there is any evidence to go on.
Without leaving the box the jury instantly returned a verdict of not guilty, and the prisoner was discharged.—“Times.”
Bloomfield Crosbie, 1913
Healesville and Yarra Glen Guardian, Fri 14 Feb 1913 18
DAMAGE TO A HOUSE
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21 DAYS THE RESULT.
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At the Healesville court yesterday, Bloomfield Crosbie, [aka Patrick O’Reilly] otherwise well known to the police in the city as Stewart, was before Messrs Jolliffe and Privett, J’sP, charged with wilfully damaging the premises of Frederick Gorton, St Leonard’s road, to the estimated extent of £1.
Crosbie pleaded not guilty.
Frederick Gorton said that the defendant smashed the window and door of his house in with an axe. He (witness) consequently sent for the police.
Defendant: Didn’t you come into my yard and knock me down?—No.
Witness, continuing, said the house in which Crosbie lived was next door to his, behind Miss Leeder’s.
George Burns said that he was passing Gorton’s house when the latter asked him to go for the police in consequence of defendant’s conduct. He could hear the disturbance from the road, and also the striking of an axe.
Constable Hutchinson said he had had frequent complaints as to defendant’s conduct. He lived with a woman in the house mentioned, and they behaved in such a manner that he had been instructed to remove them from the place. On the day in question defendant was drunk and went home and committed the offence with which he was charged. There had been several burglaries committed around the town recently, and other suspicious characters at times came and stayed at the house also with defendant.
The woman associated with defendant gave evidence that he was her son. They went down the street on the day in question and had a few drinks. Gorton and his wife met them and the former said to her son, “What do you mean by walking down the street with my wife.” He said he never did such a thing, and Gorton then called him a liar and struck him. She asked him why he hit her son, and complainant called he some nasty names (the words alleged were produced). She had worked at The Wattles and Bradshaw’s.
Constable Hutchinson (to the Bench): That’s not true. She never was at Bradshaw’s.
Witness: Well, you can charge me with perjury if I wasn’t.
To Constable Hutchinson: Her son was drunk, but she wasn’t. She had a weak heart and was ordered to take brandy. She was not hunted out of Lilydale by the police.
Defendant was fined 40/, with 20/ damages, but could not pay, so was conveyed to the Melbourne gaol by Constable Ballantyne, and will there be detained for 21 days.
Percy Bloomfield and Lizzie Bloomfield, 1924
The Age, Fri 7 Mar 1924 19
CHARGE OF LARCENY.
———◦———
Man and Woman Fined.
At the Oakleigh court on Thursday Percy Bloomfield [aka Patrick O’Reilly] and Lizzie Robertson were charged with the larceny of a pair of reins and a bed sheet, the property of Rev Father Quinn, Roman Catholic Presbytery, Dandenong-road.
John Kelly, groom at the Presbytery, said that the two accused, whom he had known before, came to see him about 2 pm on 28th February. Both were slightly under the influence of liquor. They brought a quart bottle of wine with them and went to witness’s room, where the liquor was drunk. About 6.30 pm the pair left. Subsequently witness missed the pair of reins and the bed sheet, which he subsequently identified.
The female accused said that she ans her son came down to see Kelly at the Presbytery on his invitation. Her son gave him £1 to get some liquor, but he said he had lost it. Subsequently he gave her the reins and the sheet, which he said they might get a few shillings for. The male accused corroborated the story.
The bench convicted the accused, and imposed a fine of £2, in default 14 days’ imprisonment.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
The Argus, Thu 31 Jul 1924 20
BEGGARS SENT TO GAOL.
———◦———
MOTHER AND SON CONVICTED.
Charged with having wandered abroad to beg alms, Percy Bloomfield, [aka Patrick O’Reilly] aged 29 years, and his mother, Lizzie Bloomfield, aged 59 years, appeared before Messrs LL Philpott, Bowley, TW Fowler, and RM Edgar, JP’s, at the Kew Court on Wednesday.
Plain-clothes Constable Penno said that he saw Bloomfield and his mother begging in the street on the afternoon of July 25. He heard the woman ask a stranger for 2/, and later saw both mother and son drinking in an hotel.
Other evidence was given that the son had attempted to “cadge” money from strangers.
When arrested, according to police evidence, the man had 1/4 and his mother had several shillings.
Bloomfield said that he and his mother had been “out to have a booze up.”
The accused were each sentenced to imprisonment for three months.
Patrick O’Reilly, 1926
Goulburn Evening Penny Post, Wed 1 Sep 1926 21
INDECENT ASSAULT
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TWO MEN SENTENCED
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Pleading guilty to a charge of indecent assault on a girl of eight years of age at Goulburn, on July 3, Charles Durant, labourer, 40, was sentenced to three years hard labour in Bathurst gaol at the Quarter Sessions, [before Justice Bevan], this morning.
Reproduction: Peter de Waal
Described by the police as a well known criminal, a long list of convictions, including many of stealing was read out as having been committed in different parts of Australia and in England.
Durant had nothing to say, but his Honor said: There’s one section of the community which needs protection and that is our young children, especially girls.
Many a persons life has been ruined by men like you.
Patrick O’Reilly was sentenced to five years penal servitude for having indecently assaulted Albert Arthur Neilman [10½ yrs] at Ashfield on June 8.
A list of previous convictions showed one of indecent assault in England [sic–Bairnsdale, Vic] in 1905 for which he had been sentenced to two years hard labour and five lashes.
In passing the sentence his Honor severly [sic] censured the accused, referring to him as a sexual pervert and stated that it was for the protection of children that a long term of imprisonment should be imposed.
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The Sydney Morning Herald, Thu 2 Sep 1926 22
COUNTRY NEWS.
———◦———
…
QUARTER SESSIONS.
Goulburn, Wednesday.
His Honor Judge Bevan presided at the Quarter Sessions at Goulburn to-day.
…
Patrick O’Reilly pleaded guilty to a charge of indecently assaulting Albert Arthur Neilman at Ashfield on June 8. He was sentenced to five years’ imprisonment, with hard labour, in Grafton Gaol.
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The Scrutineer and Berrima District Press, Wed 8 Sep 1926 23
INDECENT ASSAULT.
———
TWO MEN SENTENCED.
————
…
Patrick O’Reilly was sentenced to five years’ penal servitude for having indecently assaulted Albert Arthur Neilman, at Ashfield, on June 3.
A list of previous convictions showed one of indecent assault in England in 1905, for which he had been sentenced to two years hard labour and five lashes.
In passing the sentence his Honor severely censured the accused, referring to him as a sexual pervert, and stated that it was for the protection of children that a long term of imprisonment should be imposed.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Patrick O’Reilly, Gaol photo sheet 24
![SRNSW: NRS2327, [3/5991], Maitland Gaol photographic description book, 1875-1930, No. 1998, p. 228, R5132.](../../images/trials/1926-OReilly-5991-gaol-photo-1998.jpg "SRNSW: NRS2327, [3/5991], Maitland Gaol photographic description book, 1875-1930, No. 1998, p. 228, R5132.") |
Gaol Photo Sheet - Transcribed Details
No. 1998
Maitland
Date when Portrait was taken: 12-1-1927
Name: Patrick O’Reilly
[aka Percy Robertson; Percy Bloomfield Crowley; Percy Bloomfield]
|
Native place: Melbourne Year of birth: 1-3-1893 Arrived Ship: Trade or occupation Religion: R. C. Education, degree of: R & W Height: 5' 7" Weight On committal: 136 Colour of hair: Dark Colour of eyes: Dark Brown |
Marks or special features:
No photo available |
|
(No. of previous Portrait ... ) CONVICTIONS |
|||||
| Where and When | Offence. | Sentence | |||
|
Victoria Bairnsdale SC Lilydale PS Healesville PS Melbourne PS Oakleigh PS Kew PS NS Wales Goulburn Q.S |
20 14 13 6 6 30
31 |
9 1 2 3 3 7
8 |
1905 1913 1913 1916 1924 1924
1926 |
Indecent assault Obscene language Damage property Drunk in charge Larceny Begging
Buggery |
2 years H.L. and five lashes 40/- or 7 days H.L. 60/- or 21 days H.L. £5 or 1 months H.L. 40/- or 14 days H.L. 3 months H.L.
5 years P.S. |
1 The Age, (Melbourne, Vic), Tue 29 Aug 1905, p. 6.
2 Bairnsdale Advertiser and Tambo and Omeo Chronicle, (Vic), Tue 29 Aug 1905, p. 2.
3 Geelong Advertiser, (Vic), Tue 29 Aug 1905, p. 4.
4 The Age, (Melbourne, Vic), Wed 30 Aug 1905, p. 8. Emphasis added.
5 Geelong Advertiser, (Vic), Wed 30 Aug 1905, p. 1. Emphasis added.
6 The Argus, (Melbourne, Vic), Thu 31 Aug 1905, p. 6.
7 Bairnsdale Advertiser and Tambo and Omeo Chronicle, Thu 31 Aug 1905, p. 2. Emphasis added.
8 Camperdown Chronicle, (Vic), Thu 31 Aug 1905, p. 4.
9 The Maffra Spectator (Vic), Thu 31 Aug 1905, p. 3.
10 The Age, (Melbourne, Vic), Fri 22 Sep 1905, p. 6.
11 The Argus, (Melbourne, Vic), Fri 22 Sep 1905, p. 9.
12 Bairnsdale Advertiser and Tambo and Omeo Chronicle, Sat 23 Sep 1905, p. 3. Emphasis added.
13 The Maffra Spectator (Vic), Mon 25 Sep 1905, p. 3.
14 The Age, (Melbourne, Vic), Mon 23 Oct 1905, p. 5. Emphasis added.
15 The Ballart Star, (Vic), Mon 23 Oct 1905, p. 6. Emphasis added.
16 Geelong Advertiser, (Vic), Mon 23 Oct 1905, p. 4. Emphasis added.
17 Bairnsdale Advertiser and Tambo and Omeo Chronicle, (Vic), Tue 5 Dec 1905, p. 2. Emphasis added.
18 Healesville and Yarra Glen Guardian (Vic), Fri 14 Feb 1913, p. 2. Emphasis added.
19 The Age, (Melbourne, Vic), Fri 7 Mar 1924, p. 7. Emphasis added.
20 The Argus, (Melbourne, Vic), Thu 31 Jul 1924, p. 5.
21 Goulburn Evening Penny Post, Wed 1 Sep 1926, p. 6. Emphasis added.
22 The Sydney Morning Herald, Thu 2 Dec Sep 1926, p. 10.
23 The Scrutineer and Berrima District Press, (NSW), Wed 8 Sep 1926, p. 4.
24 SRNSW: NRS2327, [3/5991], Maitland Gaol photographic description book, 1875-1930, No. 1998, p. 228, R5132.