The Daily Advertiser, Tue 9 Aug 1927 ¹

ITEMS OF NEWS
———◦———

…

MAN SENT FOR TRIAL

    At the Wagga Children’s Court yesterday, before Mr HT Adams, PM, Edward George [aka George Edward] Laddan, an elderly man, was charged with having committed an indecent assault. After police evidence had been given, Laddan was committed for trial at the Wagga Circuit Court in October, bail being fixed at £30, with one surety of a similar amount.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Goulburn Evening Penny Post, Tue 13 Sep 1927 ²

QUARTER SESSIONS.
——•——
GOULBURN SITTINGS
———
SIX CRIMINAL CASES
———

    Six criminal cases, in addition to five appeals, are set down for hearing at the Goulburn sittings of the Quarter Sessions , which opened before his Honor Judge Coyle this morning.

    Captain PV Storkey, VC, conducted the case for the Crown in each instance.
…
    A charge of having indecently assault a male at Wagga Wagga on July 19, 1927, was preferred against Edward George Laddan, an elderly man, who pleaded guilty and was remanded for sentence.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Goulburn Evening Penny Post, Wed 14 Sep 1927 ³

APPEALS FOR MERCY
——•——
Judge Coyle Lenient
———
Two Offenders Released
———

    His Honor, Judge Coyle, was in a lenient mood when the Goulburn sittings of the Quarter Sessions were resumed this morning. In two of the four cases which came up for sentence, his Honor extended the accused the benefit of the First Offenders’ Act .
…

OLD MAN’S PLEA

    “I have repented my sins and in view of the state of my health appeal to you not to send me to gaol,” stated Edward George Laddan when asked if he had any reason why the sentence should not be passed on him on a charge of having indecently assaulted a male person [Joseph Holmes, 14] at Wagga Wagga on July 19, 1927.

    George Clarkson, chief warder at the Goulburn Gaol, said he had had accused under observation for 10 days and regarded him as of weak mentality. His health also was in a poor condition.

    Laddan who gave his age as 55 but looked considerable older, stood stooped and trembling in the dock.

    Judge Coyle sentenced Laddan to 12 months imprisonment in Goulburn Gaol, informing him that should his mental and physical condition improve within six months he would recommend his release. His Honor reminded accused that he had been guilty of a very nasty offence and did not appear to be responsible for his actions. The judge said he was in a difficult position and hoped he was doing the right thing. He would have granted accused his release but for the fact that there was no institution to which he could be send.

    Upon sentence being passed Laddan asked that it date from the time of his arrest.

    “I am glad that you did not say that before. Your mind apparently is not as dull as I thought it was,” replied his Honor.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Sydney Morning Herald, Fri 16 Sep 1927 ⁴

COUNTRY NEWS.
———◦———

…

GOULBURN QUARTER SESSIONS.

Goulburn, Thursday.

    In the Goulburn Quarter Sessions, before Judge Coyle,
…
    Edward George Laddan, 55 years of age, a man in delicate health, pleaded guilty to a serious offence. Judge Coyle, in passing sentence of 12 months’ imprisonment, said he regretted that there was noot a more suitable institution than gaol in which men of Laddan’s type could be cared for.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Edward George Laddan, Gaol photo sheet ⁵

---

Gaol Photo Sheet - Transcribed Details

No. 2030
Maitland

Date when Portrait was taken: 22 Feb 1928

Name: Edward George Laddan

Native place: Victoria Year of birth: 1-1-1872 Arrived       Ship: in Colony }   Year: Trade or occupation previous to conviction  } Engineer Religion: C of E Education, degree of: R & W Height: 5' 7" Weight     On committal: 142 in lbs     } On discharge: Colour of hair: Grey Colour of eyes: Grey

Marks or special features:

(No. of previous Portrait ... )  CONVICTIONS
Where and When				Offence.	Sentence
Benalla Q.S Melbourne Goulburn Q.S	–  – 13	– – 9	1909 1910 1927	Maiming a horse Stealing Indecent assault on a male person	9 months H.L. 3 months H.L. 12 months H.L.

 

---

¹     The Daily Advertiser, (Wagga Wagga, NSW), Tue 9 Aug 1927, p. 2.

²     Goulburn Evening Penny Post, Tue 13 Sep 1927, p. 2.

³     Goulburn Evening Penny Post, Wed 14 Sep 1927, p. 2. Emphasis added.

⁴     The Sydney Morning Herald, Fri 16 Sep 1927, p. 12.

⁵     SRNSW: NRS2327, [3/5991], Maitland Gaol Photograph description sheets, 1875-1930, No. 2030, p. 262, R5132.

---