William Farrell, 1924
Below also see: William Farrell, 1925,
William Farrell, 1927,
William Farrell, 1940
Dubbo Dispatch and Wellington Independent, Tue 11 Nov 1924 1
AN OFFENSIVE GUEST.
William Farrel [sic], a laborer, of about 30, was such an offensive guest at the Railway Junction Hotel that he appeared before Mr G Meeson, PM, at the Dubbo Police Court yesterday, charged with (1) refusing to leave the hotel when asked to do so, and (2) assaulting Matthew R Anderson, a fitter. Evidence was given to the effect that defendant was having tea at the hotel, and, referring to Anderson, who was seated at the other end of the table, remarked that he was like a jazz doll. The remark was resented, words were exchanged, and blows struck. Defendant’s explanation was that he made the remark jocularly and that he had only declined to leave because he thought the licensee, when he cooled down, would not insist upon him going. In reply to Mr Meeson defendant said that he was well acquainted with police court procedure, but denied that he had ever been in gaol before. He said that he had learned the “procedure” from books when he was working for a bookstall company in Sydney. He was fined £3, in default three weeks’ imprisonment on each charge.
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The Dubbo Liberal and Macquarie Advocate, Tue 11 Nov 1924 2
POLICE COURT.
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(Before Mr G Meeson, PM.)
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…
William Farrell was charged with having acted in an disorderly manner at the Railway Junction Hotel in November 8th, after having been asked to quit. He pleaded not guilty and evidence was taken, at the conclusion of which a second charge of assault was preferred against him. To this he pleaded guilty and fines of £3, in default 6 weeks imprisonment in each case were imposed, the sentences to be accumulative.
William Farrell, 1925
The Dubbo Liberal and Macquarie Advocate, Tue 10 Feb 1925 3
POLICE COURT.
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Monday, February 9th.
(Before Mr G Meeson, PM.)
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ALLEGED STEALING.
William Farrell was charged with that he did on February 5th steal the sum of £40, the property of Alexander McVicar Campbell, at Geurie.
Constable Hillier gave evidence of the arrest of accused at the railway station at Dubbo. A man named Thomas was with accused on a bus. Later he found eight £5 notes in a rabbit skin at the place where Thomas was sleeping in Macquarie-street. Thomas said accused was the man who gave him the money. Accused admitted that he had just come from Geurie.
Alexander Campbell stated that he was a farm labourer. He was in Geurie on the 5th inst. He cashed a cheque for £40, and received eight £5 notes. Accused was at the hotel while witness was there.
Norman Hailstone gave evidence of having cashed the cheque for Campbell.
Norman Bracken, billiard marker, deposed that he had seen accused at the Club House Hotel at Geurie. He said he was going out to work and said good-bye. He produced a bundle of £5 notes, and held them in his hand. He said he had just drawn them at the bank.
George Evans, laborer, deposed that he shared the room at the hotel with Campbell. He saw accused with some money on the 5th inst.
Constable Taylor, of Geurie, gave evidence and the case closed.
Accused refused summary jurisdiction. He pleaded not guilty and reserved his defence. He was committed for trial at the Dubbo Quarter Sessions on Tuesday next. Bail was allowed, self in £100 and a surety of a similar amount.
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RECEIVING ALLEGED.
Robert Percival Thomas was charged with having received the sum of £40 from William Farrell knowing the same to have been stolen.
Mr McManamey appeared for the defendant, and evidence was given by Constables Hillier and Kennedy, and Messrs Campbell and Hailstone.
His Worship said Thomas had done a very foolish thing in taking the money, but he did not think he had any guilty knowledge at the time. He dismissed the case.
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REFUSING TO PAY FOR
ACCOMMODATION.
William Farrell was further charged with having refused to pay Thomas Hailstone for meals and accommodation supplied. He was convicted and sentenced to 14 days’ imprisonment.
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Wellington Times, Thu 12 Feb 1925 4
A CASE FROM GEURIE.
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Alleged Stealing.
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At the Dubbo police court, William Farrell was charged with that he did on February 5th steal the sum of £40, the property of Alexander McVicar Campbell, at Geurie.
Constable Hillier gave evidence of the arrest of accused at the railway station at Dubbo. A man named Thomas was with accused on a bus. Later he found eight £5 notes in rabbit skin at the place where Thomas was sleeping in Macquarie Street. Thomas said accused was the man who gave him the money. Accused admitted that he had just come from Geurie.
Alexander Campbell stated that he was farm laborer. He was in Geurie on the 5th inst. He cashed a cheque for £40, and received eight £5 notes. Accused was at the hotel while witness was there.
Norman Hailstone gave evidence of having cashed the cheque for Campbell.
Norman Bracken, billiard marker, deposed that he had seen accused at the Club House Hotel at Geurie. He said he was going out to work and said good-bye. He produced a bundle of £5 notes, and held them in his hand. He said he had just drawn them at the bank.
George Evans, laborer, deposed that he shared the room at the hotel with Campbell. He saw accused with some money on the 5th inst.
Constable Taylor, of Geurie, gave evidence and the case closed.
Accused refused summary jurisdiction. He pleaded not guilty and reserved his defence. He was committed for trial at the Dubbo Quarter Sessions on Tuesday next. Bail was allowed, self in £100, and a surety of a similar amount.
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Dubbo Dispatch and Wellington Independent, Fri 13 Feb 1925 5
ALLEGED THEFT.
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Accused Sent For Trial.
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A Geurie Incident.
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William Farrell, a laborer, appeared before Mr George Meeson, PM, at the Dubbo Police Court on Monday morning, charged with having stolen the sum of £40, the property of Alexander McVicar Campbell, on February 5, at Geurie.
Inspector Byrne prosecuted, and defended was not represented by counsel.
The case for the prosecution was that accused and others were about the Club House Hotel, Geurie, on February 5. Among those present was Campbell, who shouted drinks for accused. Campbell cashed a cheque for £40, getting eight £5 notes, which he placed in his trousers’ pocket. Shortly after lunch Campbell missed his money. Accused, who in the morning had remarked that he had no money, displayed a roll of notes to Clive Bracken, a youth who was standing in front of the hotel. Accused left Geurie later and arrived in Dubbo. At the Dubbo station he got on to a bus driven by a man named Thomas. When Constable Hillier and Kennedy approached the bus, accused handed the notes to Thomas, from whom they were later recovered.
Alexander McVicar Campbell, a farm Laborer, stated that on the day in question he was at the hotel and changed a cheque for £40. Mr Hailstone had cashed the cheque for him, and he (witnessed) had put eight £5 notes in his left hand trousers pocket. He missed the money at 3 o’clock in the afternoon. During the morning he had “shouted” for accused, who had been hanging about the hotel for a couple of days. Accused had visited witness’ room on a couple of occasions. Witness had had a drink or two that day.
Mr Meeson: How many drinks have you had this morning?
Witness: I have had two or three.
Mr Meeson: I thought you had.
In reply to Inspector Byrne, witness said that he did not say anything to accused about the missing money.
Clive Bracken stated that he was in front of the hotel when the accused produced the roll of notes, stating that he had plenty of money now.
Norman Hailstone, son of the licensee of the hotel, gave evidence of having cashed the cheque for Campbell.
Constables Hillier and Kennedy gave evidence of having arrested accused on his arrival at Dubbo. They said that he denied the theft and told them that he would have nothing to say about it. They stated that they had taken accused and another man off the bus, and had escorted them to the lock-up. At midnight they called at Thomas’ residence and asked him if he had been given a roll of notes by one of the men who had been taken from the box seat on the bus. Thomas hesitated, but then stated that he had. Asked where the notes had been put, he referred to a shed. Thomas went to the shed and started to thrown a quantity of rabbit skins about. He threw one from under a rug amongst the rest. Constable Kennedy, after warning him against interfering with the skins, examined the one that had been under the rug, and found it to contain the missing notes. Thomas was taken to the lock-up, where he recognised accused as a man of the same build as the one who had occupied the box seat.
Accused who reserved his defence “for a higher court,” was committed for trial at the Dubbo Quarter Sessions next week.
“DESPERATELY FOOLISH.”
Robert Perceval Thomas (35), a cabman, was then charged with having received the sum of £40 from Farrell, knowing the money to have been stolen.
Mr WF McManamey appeared for accused, who pleaded not guilty.
Constable Hillier stated that he and Constable Kennedy, at midnight on January 5, went to Thomas’ residence. Accused, in reply to interrogations, said Farrell, who had occupied a seat in the bus with him, had handed him a roll of notes, when he saw the police approaching. He (accused)knew that there was something wrong with the money. Asked why he did not hand the money to the police, accused said that he did not know. He added that he regretted he had not done so as his reputation was now gone. Asked where the money had been placed, accused took witness to a heap of rabbit skins near the stable. Constable Kennedy examined the skins and took from one of them the eight £5 notes. Accused stated that that was the money he had received from the man who had been sitting next to him on the seat of the bus. Accused said that he would like to see the man, and with Constable Kennedy he was taken to the lock-up. There he was confronted by Farrell. Asked if he could recognise Farrell, accused said, “He’s the same size as the man who was sitting on the bus.” Farrell said, “I never handed you any money in my life.” Witness produced the eight noted. He added that accused made a statement to the inspector, in which he admitted that he got the money alright and knew it was “crook.” Accused added that he was not quite certain that the man in the cell was the man who had sat next to him on the box.
In reply to Mr McManamey, witness said he did not know how many men were on the bus that night.
Mr McManamey, at this stage, requested that the case be dismissed, as there was no evidence that the accused had taken the money knowing it to have been stolen.
Inspector Byrne contended that a case had been made out, as the accused had afterwards stated that he knew there was something crook about the money.
Mr Meeson took a generous view of the matter, holding that there was no evidence to show that accused had been in league with the other man, and that he acted with desperate foolishness, but not with any criminal intention.
The case was dismissed and Thomas was discharged.
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Dubbo Dispatch and Wellington Independent, Tue 17 Feb 1925 6
DUBBO QUARTER SESSIONS.
The Quarter Sessions began to-day before his Honor Judge Armstrong. The whole of the morning was taken up considering a charge against William John King, for allegedly having tried to commit rape on Mrs Casey at Warren. Other cases listed are John Gordon, alleged carnally knowing a girl under 16 years of age; Alfred Ah See, for an allegedly unnatural offence; William Farrell, allegedly stealing from the person. Mr TS Crawford, Crown Prosecutor, and Mr WP Kelly (Wellington), were in attendance.
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The Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers’ Advocate, Fri 20 Feb 1925 7
|
In further support of an article, which appeared in our issue dated February 13, under the heading of “Disciple of Mercy.” and dealing with the lenient attitude displayed by Judge Armstrong in sentencing guilty persons for committing outrageous and diabolical offences against little children, we publish the following:— “QUARTER SESSIONS, “Dubbo, Wednesday. “Before Judge Armstrong, William John King was charged with attempted rape. There was a second count of indecent assault. The jury returned a verdict of guilty on the second count of indecent assault. Judge Armstrong, after describing the offence as most outrageous, sentenced King to eight months’ imprisonment, with hard labor. William Farrell, on a charge of having stolen £40 from Alexander Campbell, an old man, was found guilty, and sentenced o nine months’ imprisonment, with hard labor. Alfred Ah See, a Chinese, was convicted on two charges of unnatural offences against two boys, eight and nine years’ old. He was sentenced to three months’ imprisonment, with hard labor, the month already spent in gaol to count as part of the sentence.” How long is the Attorney-General going to stand this? The people want to know. |
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Dubbo Dispatch and Wellington Independent, Fri 20 Feb 1925 8
DUBBO QUARTER SESSIONS
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Tuesday, February 17, 1925.
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(Before His Honor Judge Armstrong.)
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CHARGE OF STEALING.
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William Farrell was placed on trial charged with stealing £40 from Alexander McVicar Campbell. There was a second count of receiving the same sum knowing it to have been stolen. The offence was alleged to have taken place at Geurie.
The panel was:—James Percy Wilson, Edward Ernest Brown, Herman Fischer, William Charles Herbert Long, Richard Thomas Bolton, John Allen McLeod, Benjamin Brine, Ernest Sydney Birtle, Charles Arthur Bennett, Wilfred Ernest Miller, Phillip Henry King, and John Henry Searle Harper.
Constable Hillier gave evidence of the robbery having been reported and of meeting accused and another man on the arrival of the train from Geurie on the night of February 5. Accused was arrested by Constable Kennedy. At midnight the same night witness saw Thomas, the driver of the bus on which accused had seated himself, and from what he was told they went to a stall and made a search. Inside were a number of rabbit skins turned inside out, and inside one of these Constable Kennedy found eight £5 notes. They brought Thomas to accused, and he said he was similar in size and appearance to the man who gave him the notes. Witness showed him accused’s swag and he identified it as belonging to the smaller of the two men he had in the bus, which was accused.
To accused: When confronted with Thomas you said, “I never handed Thomas money in my life.”
Alexander [McVicar] Campbell gave evidence that he was in Geurie on February 5, where he put up at the Club House Hotel. He received a cheque from his employers and got it cashed. It comprised eight £5 notes. After dinner he had a sleep in his room. The money was in his pocket. He could not say whether the accused saw the notes. Accused had been in his room the day before he missed his money.
To accused: I was nearly sober on that day. I could not possibly have lost the money out of my pocket. When you left the hotel I suspected you of having taken the money. When I woke up and missed my money the window was open a little.
Robert Percival Thomas, bus proprietor, Dubbo, said two men got on his bus on the arrival of the train from Geurie on the night of February 5. They were swagmen. The smaller man of the two sat near me. While they were on the bus Constable Hillier came along. The man on the bus handed me eight £5 notes. He asked me to take them for him. When Constables Hillier and Kennedy came to my place I handed the money over. At the gaol I identified the bag of one of the men. Accused said he never handed me the money.
Norman Hailstone, son of Thomas Hailstone, licensee of the Club House Hotel, stated that on February 3 he cashed a cheque for £40 for Campbell. He handed him eight £5 notes. Accused was about that day, but left the hotel that night.
Norman Clive Bracken said he saw Farrell at the Hotel on the afternoon of February 5. He pulled a wallet from his pocket; also a handful of fivers. He said he had just gone over and drew the money from the bank.
To accused: You had a few drinks in when I saw you in the billiard room, but was not drunk. When you showed me the money you held it in your hand for about ten minutes. Anyone who came out could have seen it. I did not say in the lower court you took out a pocket book. If it was down in evidence it is not what I said.
George Evans, laborer, residing at Geurie, gave evidence as to seeing accused with a bundle of £5 notes. He saw accused in Campbell’s room a couple of times.
To accused: I did not see you with money the whole time you were at the hotel, but you could have had money.
THE DEFENCE.
Accused [William Farrell] elected to give evidence on oath. He said that he came to Geurie with two other men about ten days before the 5th February. At no time were they short of money. They were drinking all the time, and if any man lost money while they were there he knew nothing about it.
To Mr Crawford: The only money I handled that day when Bareken [sic] saw me was when I got £15 from Mr Hailstone to change at the bank. I did not display £5 notes to him and hold them in my hand for ten minutes. It would be madness if I had stolen money to show it. The evidence was not true. I did not tell Bracken I drew money out of the bank. I was summoned for refusing to pay for my beds and meals at this hotel; also fined in November last year for refusing to leave a Dubbo hotel when requested by the licensee. I did not pay for my board because I was drunk and was coming back the next Sunday.
To his Honor: I handed the money mentioned to the bus proprietor. I told Evans I was going to draw a military pension. It amounted to 8/6.
The jury returned after a half-hour’s deliberation with a verdict of guilty of stealing.
Farrell was sentenced to nine months in Goulburn Gaol.
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The Dubbo Liberal and Macquarie Advocate, Fri 20 Feb 1925 9
QUARTER SESSIONS.
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FIVE CRIMINAL CASES.
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His Honor Mr Justice Armstrong presided at the Quarter Sessions Court, which was opened at the Dubbo Court House on Tuesday morning. There were three defended and two undefended criminal cases. Mr A Tyers Wood acted as Deputy Sheriff. The defended cases were John Gordon Leslie McLean, charged with carnally knowing a girl over 10 and under 16; William John King, for assault with intent to commit rape; and William Farrell, for stealing from the person.
Mr TS Crawford acted as Crown Prosecutor. Mr JT Steel was attending his last court as Sheriff’s Officer after a term of service of 35 years. Mr GWH Davies, CPS, acted as Clerk of Sessions.
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WEDNESDAY’s PROCEEDINGS.
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His Honor resumed the sitting of the Quarter Sessions on Wednesday morning at 10 am.
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ALLEGED STEALING.
William Farrell was charged with that on February 5th he did stead [sic] the sum of £ 40 from the person of one Campbell. He was also charged with receiving the said £40.
The alleged offence had take place at Geurie. Accused conducted his own defence.
The Crown Prosecutor opened the case and called Constable Hillier, who deposed to finding the accused at the Dubbo railway station. He had said to accused and another man, “Where did you come from?” and they answer from Geurie. He told accused that he answered the description of a man said to have committed a robbery at Geurie. They were taken to the police station out of Thomas’s but. On the way accused said that Hailstone, the publican, had blamed him for the robbery. At the police station accused’s friend was allowed to go. Accused said he was hard in the head, and they would get nothing out of him. Witness saw the bus driver, Thomas, about midnight, and searched his place. On the floor was a horse rug, and underneath the rug, inside a rabbit skin, Constable Kennedy found eight £5 notes. Thomas was taken to the lockup, and he said that accused was similar to the man who handed him the notes. Those identified a swag that he had put on his bus that night.
Alexander Campbell said he had seen accused at Geurie. Witness was there at the Club House Hotel on February 5th. He had a cheque for £40, and Mr Hailstone had sent to the bank and cashed it. He had No. 2 room at the hotel. At 1.30 pm he laid down on his bed with the money in his left pocket. He had had drinks, and had been in the company of accused for a couple of days. When he missed the money he spoke to Hailstone. Witness had a room mate named Evans at the hotel. He had never given accused or anyone permission to take the money. In the afternoon accused laughed at him and said “Ha! Ha! Scotty.”
To accused: He was in the room when accused had found his glasses. He was nearly sober on the day in question. He could not have dropped the money out of his pocket. He woke about 3 pm in the afternoon. He had suspected accused when he laughed to him. The window was up a little.
Robert Percival Thomas, bus proprietor, said that he was at the station when the passenger train arrived on the night in question. The two men got into the bus, a tall man and a short man. He left the bus for awhile and coming back found only the short man. When the constables took them away the short man handed him £40 in notes, and told him to take care of them. He took the notes and put them where the police found them, and he handed them over. He identified the chaff bag swag, and said accused resembled the man who had it. At the gaol accused had said he had never handed witness the money.
To accused: It was a pretty dark night. He could not swear that accused was the man who sat next to him.
A juryman asked if he would have handed the money to accused, and witness said “Yes, he would.”
Norman Hailstone, son of Thomas Hailstone, licensee’s of the Club House Hotel, Geurie, gave evidence of cashing Campbell’s cheque.
To the accused: Accused had not got to pass Campbell’s room to get to his own.
Norman Bracken said that he had seen accused at the Geurie Hotel. Accused had said good-bye, and that he was going to Condon’s to work. Witness said that accused pulled a roll of fivers out of his pocket. He said he had just drawn it out of the bank. They talked for 10 minutes, and accused held the notes in his hand all the time. He had seen accused again at 7 pm in the billiard room.
To the accused: In the billiard room accused was not drunk, but had had a few drinks. He had taken the money from his right hand trousers pocket. He had not said in the lower court that accused took the notes out of a book.
George Evans, who was Campbell’s room mate at the hotel, said that in the presence of himself and accused Campbell had pulled out a bundle of notes. At 3 pm he saw accused, who asked him to have a drink. He went to their room, and found Campbell asleep.
To the accused: Campbell was never drunk; he had a few drinks and then law [sic] down. Accused had told Evans that he was going to draw a military pension that day.
Accused [William Farrell] then went into the witness box, was sworn, and gave evidence. He said about a fortnight previous to February 5th he had finished work at Ballimore, and came in with two other men. They all had money. At no time were they short. They stayed there a fortnight. “If anyone lost any money while we were there I know absolutely nothing about it.”
To the Crown Prosecutor: He had not displayed five pound notes for 10 minutes while talking to Bracken. He absolutely denied it. He had said he was going ton Condon’s. he did not say he had just been over to the bank and drawn the money. He had been in Campbell’s room once or twice. The pension he was going to draw was 8/6.
Accused did not address the jury; neither did the Crown Prosecutor. His Honor summed up, and the jury retired.
Shortly after the luncheon adjournment the jury returned with a verdict of guilty of stealing from the person, and Farrell was sentenced to nine months’ hard labor in Goulburn Gaol.
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Truth, Sun 22 Feb 1925 10
LOPSIDED LAW
OR
LOPSIDED JUSTICE?
Once again “Truth” finds itself compelled to call public attention to the passing of disproportionate sentences on convicted persons. Last Wednesday at the Dubbo Quarter Sessions, Judge Armstrong had three cases before him, namely, William John King, attempted rape second count, indecent assault; Alfred Ah See (Chinaman), unnatural offences against two boys, eight and nine years old; and William Farrell , stealing £40.
And Judge Armstrong handed down to the clerk the following extraordinarily disproportionate sentences:—
King (found guilty by the jury on the second count) eight months’ imprisonment with hard labor.
Ah See (convicted of unnatural offences) three months’ imprisonment with hard labor, the “month already spent in gaol to count as part of the sentence.”
Farrell (for Stealing) was sentenced to nine months’ hard labor—or one month more than King received for indecent assault and seven months longer than the sentence imposed on the yellow satyr who corrupted the bodies and defiled the souls of two little White Australian children!
Is there any “fitness to the end” in these sentences?
Is “property” more valuable and sacred than the soul of a child?
Is it a graver offence to steal a few pounds than to corrupt girls and boys?
William Farrell, 1927
Cowra Free Press, Tue 15 Nov 1927 11
AN UNSAVOURY
CHARGE
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AGAINST A YOUNG MAN.
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A CASE FROM WOODSTOCK.
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ACCUSED FOUND GUILTY.
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(Before His Honor, Judge Armstrong)
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The evidence in a case in which a young man named [William] Farrell was charged with indecently assaulting a boy at Woodstock had just been commenced this morning when his Honor, Judge Armstrong, noticed about half a dozen females in the gallery. He then said with some heat: “I don’t want to think these ladies desire to remain and hear the evidence in a case of indecent assault on a male. I won’t make any comment.” Exit the females.
Mr Stacy, Crown Prosecutor, while accused, who was undefended, pleaded not guilty.
Constable Bates deposed: From something I was told I saw accused at the Commercial Hotel, Woodstock; I cautioned him; in reply to questions accused denied being in the lane or lavatory at the Royal Hotel with a boy; I brought some men in; I said a serious complaint has been made and I wanted him identified; I lined accused up with seven men; I asked the boy if he remembered the man and he picked accused out; I asked Leonard Hazelton if he would know the man he saw coming from the lavatory and he identified accused; Edward Haylan also identified him; I arrested accused and charged him.
To Accused: On the afternoon of the alleged offence I saw you about 5 or 5.15; you were slightly under the influence of drink; you slept in the lock-up that night; by the chargebook you were locked up at 7 pm; the following day I saw you in Woodstock; also on Thursday.
To CP: It was another charge he was locked up on.
A lad, [Percival Joseph Fox] 12 years of age, then gave details of the alleged offence.
Leonard William Hazelton deposed: I am a tramway conductor at Double Bay; I am at present on holidays; I heard two voices in a lavatory; on hearing the voices I said something to Haylan and Cooney, and we tried to force the door of the lavatory; a boy came out; we then tried to force the door again; I went to find the boy and he had disappeared; a little later accused ran out; we caught him and had a scuffle; accused sang out and we let him go; I would say he was sober; he sang our “Help! Police!!” there were white marks on the boy’s clothes.
To Accused: I can’t say whether the man walked or ran away; I made an effort to see the man; I did not inform the Police; I have not discussed my evidence.
Edward William Haylan deposed: I am a laborer residing at Woodstock; I remember something happening at the Royal Hotel; we heard a conversation in the lavatory and we tried to force the door; we could not; we left it and a boy ran out; a little later accused came out and a man named Cooney punched him and he fell over in the yard; I did not hear him say anything; I later identified accused.
To Accused: I saw you at the Police Station on Thursday afternoon; if would say the man was under the influence of drink; I made an effort to locate him; I did not see him in Woodstock streets; I did not inform the Police.
Accused said: I am 30 years of age. I was in Woodstock on 1st with a friend in a sulky after finishing a concrete job six miles out. We went to the Commercial Hotel and had a few drinks. Until 5.30 I was drinking at both hotels. At 2 o’clock I went and sent a reply paid wire to some friends at Lidcombe who had some bad news. I had a drink with five others and then went to the PO to see if there was a reply. I again went to the Commercial Hotel, and between 5 and 7 o’clock I remember nothing. At 7 o’clock I was evidently locked up. I am a returned soldier with 5 years 92 days service. I enlisted when I was 17. I was reared amongst men and I can say the alleged offence is one which is against my moral code. I also wish to say if I had committed this crime I would have got away as quickly as I could. But instead I stayed on for two days before being arrested. The relieving Constable was staying at the hotel, and as I often saw him my natural impulse would have been to get away for my life. I can remember going to the PO all right. If there were 60,000 witnesses against me I could not believe I was guilty. I am an athlete—a runner and a boxer—I don’t gamble, my only fault is the drink. I have brothers and sisters and a father and mother. They are in good circumstances, but I have not told them of the trouble I am in, as I prefer to get out of it by myself. I have friends with eleven children of both sexes and all ages, and they would trust me with them anywhere. I have never been charged with an offence like this and not even for bad language. I have been locked up for drunkenness. Taking the evidence I can’t see why they have picked on me. That is all, your Honor.
After a short retirement the Jury returned and asked if they could find a verdict of attempted indecent assault, and his Honor directed them on the subject.
At 2 o’clock they returned with a verdict of “Guilty” on a charge of attempted indecent assault.
Sergeant Lenon having read a number of convictions against accused at Dubbo, Stuart Town and Ashfield for drunkenness, stealing and assault.
Accused was remanded for sentence till 10 o’clock to-morrow.
Asked if he wished to say anything accused said: The crime is against my moral code. I must have been more than drunk—I must have been insane.
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The Carcoar Chronicle, Fri 18 Nov 1927 12
REVOLTING CASE.
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Charge Against Man at
Woodstock.
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The second criminal case heard at the [Cowra] Quarter Sessions on Tuesday before His Honor Judge Armstrong, was charge of indecent assault against a young man named William Farrell, who was charged that at Woodstock on November 4, he did indecently assault a boy aged 12 years.
In a loud voice Farrell pleaded not guilty. He conducted his own defence and questioned each of the witnesses after perusing a large bundle of notes. He was in no ways affected with court shyness.
The following jury were empanelled: Thomas Joseph Flannery, Phillip Henry Francis, Fred Parson, Arthur E Battye, John Henry Bourke, Thomas B Chapman, Walter Weir, Mark W Whitby, Hugh D Pulling, Charles Henry Tucker, Frederick V O’Brien, JH Morgan.
Constable Bates, of Orange, doing relief duty at Woodstock, told how he questioned the accused of his doings on the 4th instant. Accused replied “No” to all the questions witness put to him. He had accused lined up with seven men, and the boy identified him at once. Witness afterwards arrested the accused.
Evidence of the offence was given by an intelligent little 12-year-old boy, also two respectable citizens of Woodstock.
Statement From The Dock.
At the conclusion of the Crown case His Honor asked Farrell if he wished to give evidence or make a statement from the dock. He chose the latter, and this is the tale he poured forth:—
“My name is William Farrell, and I am 30 years of age; I came to Woodstock on November 1st with a mate in a sulky after I had completed a concrete job about six miles from Woodstock; we booked rooms at the Commercial hotel and afterwards had a few drinks; from the time I arrived till 5.30 I was drinking at both hotels; during the day I sent a wire and about 5.30 I went to the PO to see if there was any reply; I afterwards went to the Royal hotel and drank with five chaps; I came back to my hotel about 10 minutes to 6 o’clock, and from then till 7 o’clock I can’t remember what happened; my mind is a blank; the first thing I knew was that I was locked up for drunkenness; the next morning I was bailed out by my mate, and I went the Commercial hotel and had a few more drinks; and from then until the time I was arrested on this charge I had several drinks; I had my faculties all the time; I am a returned soldier with five years and 92 days’ service to my credit; I have been reared amongst men where anything of the kind of this charge is abhorred; I honestly tell you straight to your face I am not guilty. The charge is abhorrent to my moral character. Such a thing never entered my head; such a thing in the circle of men I have been brought up in is unthinkable; I also wish to say that had I committed this crime my first impulse would be to get away, but I didn’t do that; I just simply went to the hotel like an honest man and stayed there; the constable who is relieving at Woodstock is stopping at the hotel where I stayed and if I was guilty, the sight of him would have hunted me out of Woodstock; if I had been guilty, but I tell you I am innocent. I put it to you gentlemen that this crime is against my moral code, and that it is sufficient for me to tell you I didn’t do it. If there were 60,000 witnesses against me I would still say I am innocent. I have lead a clean life and I am an athlete, and my only vice is that I drink and smoke; I don’t even gamble; I have never been associated with anything like this in my life; I have a mother, sisters and brothers, and many friends in Lidcombe; I have frequently nursed and played with my friends’ children and have been trusted to look after both young girls and boys; I have also worked for farmers and graziers and they have trusted their children in my care; my people are in prosperous circumstances, but I did not seek assistance from them in this case; I intend to face the charge as best I could; my only failing is drunkenness, if that can be called a crime; I don’t really know how I can drive home my innocence, and I can’t make out why I am picked on in a case like this. If I committed the crime surely I would remember some of the facts, but I don’t; if I was guilty I would have surely tried to get away but I didn’t. I am an innocent man.”
The jury retired about 12 o’clock to consider their verdict but returned at a quarter to one o’clock when the foreman (Mr M Whitby) asked His Honor a certain question.
The jury again retired and was locked up during the dinner hour.
Verdict Of Guilty.
At 2 o’clock the jury returned with a verdict of guilty of attempted indecent assault.
His Honor: I will sentence the accused to-morrow at 10 o’clock. I want to think over the evidence.
In answer to His Honor, Farrell said the crime was against his moral code, and as he had been found guilty of the crime, he must have been worse than drunk at the time he must have been insane.
At this stage Sergeant Lenon entered the witness box and read a list of ten previous convictions against the prisoner.
His Honor said the previous convictions would not influence him in any way when deciding on the sentence for the present crime.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Cowra Free Press, Fri 18 Nov 1927 13
THE WOODSTOCK
CASE
———[§]———
FARRELL SENTENCED TO NINE
MONTHS.
———
WITH HARD LABOR IN BATHURST
GAOL.
———
On Wednesday morning William Farrell, found guilty of attempting to commit a serious offence on a boy 12 years of age at Woodstock, was brought up for sentence. Upon being asked if he had anything to say accused replied “No.”
His Honor said: You have a very bad record. You have been convicted of various offences, but same will not affect my decision in this case. The jury have found you guilty, but not of the whole offence. You say your moral code would not allow you to commit such an offence, and you have referred very strongly to your past. However, I think the evidence cannot be attacked in any way. The evidence of some of the witnesses was that you might have been under the influence of liquor, but you were not so bad that you could not escape by running away. The sentence of the Court is that you be imprisoned for nine months in Bathurst Gaol with hard labor. I am making the sentence lighter than I would otherwise have done on account of the Jury having found you guilty of only attempting the crime. I have no doubt you were in liquor at the time. This is a most serious matter. The sentence is to date from November 4th—the date of your arrest. I say again I am passing a light sentence in view of the finding to the Jury that you were guilty of the attempt and not the actual act, and it is merely on that account I am doing so.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
William Farrell. Gaol photo sheet 14
![SRNSW: NRS2232, [3/5982], Goulburn Gaol photographic description book, 25 Jul 1922-30 Mar 1928, No. 3229, p. 151, R5123.](../../images/trials/1927-Farrell-5982-gaol-photo-3229.jpg "SRNSW: NRS2232, [3/5982], Goulburn Gaol photographic description book, 25 Jul 1922-30 Mar 1928, No. 3229, p. 151, R5123.") |
Gaol Photo Sheet - Transcribed Details
No. 3229
Goulburn
Date when Portrait was taken: 25-2-1925
Name: William Farrell
|
Native place: Albury Year of birth: 1898 Arrived Ship: – Trade or occupation Religion: C of E Education, degree of: R & W Height: 5' 4½" Weight On committal: 129 Colour of hair: Fair Colour of eyes: Blue |
Marks or special features: Nose Broken |
|
(No. of previous Portrait ... ) CONVICTIONS |
|||||
| Where and When | Offence. | Sentence | |||
|
Dubbo PC Dubbo PC Dubbo Q.S |
10 9 18 |
11 2 2 |
1924 1925 1925 |
1) Refuse to quit licensed premises when requested Refuse to pay for meals and accommodation Stealing from the person |
£3 or six weeks
14 days HL 9 months HL concurrent |
William Farrell, 1940
The Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers’ Advocate, Wed 25 Sep 1940 15
GAOLED FOR INDECENCY
Convicted at the Parramatta Police Court on Friday of having made an indecent suggestion to an 18-year-old youth, William Farrell (43) was sent to gaol for six months.
Farrell, whose home is in Hampstead-road, Auburn, was alleged to have made the suggestion near Lidcombe Oval on September 15.
He pleaded not guilty.
1 Dubbo Dispatch and Wellington Independent, (NSW), Tue 11 Nov 1924, p. 2. Emphasis added.
2 The Dubbo Liberal and Macquarie Advocate, Tue 11 Nov 1924, p. 2. Emphasis added.
3 The Dubbo Liberal and Macquarie Advocate, Tue 10 Feb 1925, p. 2. Emphasis added.
4 Wellington Times, (NSW), Thu 12 Feb 1925, p. 8. Emphasis added.
5 Dubbo Dispatch and Wellington Independent, (NSW), Fri 13 Feb 1925, p. 3. Emphasis added.
6 Dubbo Dispatch and Wellington Independent, (NSW), Tue 17 Feb 1925, p. 2. Emphasis added.
7 The Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers’ Advocate (Parramatta), Fri 20 Feb 1925, p. 4. Emphasis added but the text is in a box in the original document.
8 Dubbo Dispatch and Wellington Independent, (NSW), Fri 20 Feb 1925, p. 8. Emphasis added.
9 The Dubbo Liberal and Macquarie Advocate, Fri 20 Feb 1925, p. 2. Emphasis added.
10 Truth, (Syd, NSW), Sun 22 Feb 1925, p. 1. Emphasis added.
11 Cowra Free Press, Tue 15 Nov 1927, p. 3. Emphasis added and in original text.
12 The Carcoar Chronicle, (NSW), Fri 18 Nov 1927, p. 6. Emphasis added.
13 Cowra Free Press, Fri 18 Nov 1927, p. 1. Emphasis added and in original text.
14 SRNSW: NRS2232, [3/5982], Goulburn Gaol photographic description book, 25 Jul 1922-30 Mar 1928, No. 3229, p. 151, R5123.
15 The Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers’ Advocate (Parramatta), Wed 25 Sep 1940, p. 2.