The Newcastle Sun, Tue 15 Mar 1927 ¹

JUSTICES SWORN IN
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    Sixty-six Justices of the Peace, including five women, were sworn in by Judge Edwards at the Newcastle Quarter Sessions this morning.
…

“STUPIDLY DRUNK”
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MAN REMANDED FOR SENTENCE
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OFFENCE AGAINST BOY
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    John Moroney, [aka John Maroney], 33, committed for trial from Quirindi Police Court, came before Quarter Sessions to-day, on a charge of having committed a serious offence against a boy, aged, 13, at Willowtree on December 21.

    After half an hour’s retirement, the jury returned a verdict of guilty, and Moroney was remanded for sentence to-morrow.

    Judge Edwards suggested that women should leave the court for the hearing, and after a little hesitation about a dozen in the gallery left in a body.

    “I must have been stupidly drunk, and have no recollection of the offence, said Moroney, who pleaded not guilty in his address to the jury.

    Evidence was given that Moroney had been drinking before the offence, and was under the influence of drink when arrested.

    “Drunkenness was taken as an aggravation of an offence in the bad old days,” said Judge Edwards, in summing up, “but now if a man is so hopelessly drunk that he can’t form an intent, it can be taken as a sort of excuse for an offence.”

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Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate, Wed 16 Mar 1927 ²

QUARTER SESSIONS.
——–▴—•—▴——–
Tuesday, March 15.
——–
(Before His Honor, Judge Edwards.)
——–
Mr TS Crawford, Crown Prosecutor.
——–

…

FOUND GUILTY.

    John Moroney, of Murrurundi, was charged that, at Willowtree on December 21, 1926, he did attempt to commit an offence with a boy, [John Hibbs]. Accused, who pleaded not guilty, was unrepresented. His Honor suggested that the evidence would be of an unsavoury character the women in court should leave, which suggestion had the desired effect.

    Constable McMaugh, stationed at Willowtree, said on December 21 he saw accused at 8 o’clock in the morning at the back of the station master’s residence, and questioned him concerning the alleged offence. Accused made no reply.

    Sergeant Grimes gave evidence as to accused being brought to the Quirindi police station, where he made a statement, in which he admitted walking towards his camp with the boy, but denied the offence. Witness said he took the statement from accused at 11 o’clock. The boy concerned [John Hibbs] also gave evidence, in which he stated that he informed the police of what had occurred.

    Evidence of a corroborative nature was given by Percy Costican and Eldrid Allan Barnett, a labourer, living at Quirindi. In a statement from the dock accused [John Maroney] said he had no recollection of the offence, and he must have been stupidly drunk. He had drunk two bottle of rum that morning.

    After a short retirement, the jury returned a verdict of guilty, and accused was remanded for sentence this morning.

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The Newcastle Sun, Wed 16 Mar 1927 ³

12 MONTHS’ GAOL
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OFFENCE AGAINST BOY
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    John Moroney, found guilty of an attempted offence against a boy at Willow Tree, was sentenced by Judge Edwards at the Newcastle Quarter Sessions to-day to imprisonment for twelve months.

    Moroney said that he was stupidly drunk at the time, and did not remember anything about the attempt.

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Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate, Thu 17 Mar 1927 ⁴

QUARTER SESSIONS.
——–▴—•—▴——–
Wednesday, March 16.
——–
(Before His Honor, Judge Edwards.)
(Mr TS Crawford, Crown Prosecutor.)
——–

…

TWELVE MONTHS IMPRISONMENT.

    John Moroney, found guilty of attempting an offence on a boy at Willowtree, on December 21, was sentenced to imprisonment for a period of twelve months.

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John Moroney [sic], Gaol photo sheet ⁵

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Gaol Photo Sheet - Transcribed Details

No. 2008
Maitland

Date when Portrait was taken: 13-4-1927

Name: John Moroney [sic]

Native place: Sydney Year of birth: 25-9-1892 Arrived       Ship: in Colony }   Year: Trade or occupation previous to conviction  } Laborer Religion: R. C. Education, degree of: R & W Height: 5' 8" Weight     On committal: 148 in lbs     } On discharge: Colour of hair: Brown Colour of eyes: Grey

Marks or special features:

(No. of previous Portrait ... )  CONVICTIONS
Where and When				Offence.	Sentence
Boggabri PC Narromine PC Brewarrina PC Goulburn PC Newcastle Q.S	19 15 15   7 15	1 11   5 12   3	1911 1911 1919 1926 1927	Indecent language Indecent language Indecent language Found on licensed premises Attempt to commit buggery	14 days H.L. £3 or 1 month H.L. £2 or 1 months H.L. 10/- or 3 days H.L. 12 months H.L.

 

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¹     The Newcastle Sun, (NSW), Tue 15 Mar 1927, pp. 7, 9.

²     Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate, Wed 16 Mar 1927, p. 10. Emphasis added.

³     The Newcastle Sun, (NSW), Wed 16 Mar 1927, p. 7.

⁴     Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate, Thy 17 Mar 1927, p. 2.

⁵     SRNSW: NRS2327, [3/5991], Maitland Gaol photographic description book, 1875-1930, No. 2008, p. 239, R5132.

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