William George Rossiter, John Tanner, William Heffernan, 1906
Below also see: George Rossiter, 1929 – Indecent assault

 

The Albury Banner and Wodonga Express, Fri 1 Jun 1906 ¹

ALLEGED THEFT OF A SHEEPSKIN.
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    A man named Jno Tanner was charged at Albury Police Court on Wednesday with stealing a sheepskin, valued at 8/-, the property of Collins and Mason, at Albury, on or about 29th May. Senior-sergeant Brown asked for a remand for eight days, as he desired to make further investigations, which he believed would lead to other developments. The remand was granted. It is understood that two other persons are concerned in the alleged theft. At the court yesterday morning Senior-sergeant Brown intimated that he desired to withdraw the previous charge against Tanner, as a result of his investigations. William George Rossiter was then charged with stealing two sheepskins, valued at 14/- the property of Collins and Mason, and Tanner and Wm Heffernan were charged with aiding and abetting in the theft. The accused were all remanded until this morning. With regard t Rossiter, Mr Tietyens intimated that he would plead guilty and place certain facts before the court.

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The Border Morning Mail and Riverina Times, Fri 1 Jun 1906 ²

ALLEGED STEALING

    William George Rossiter, 36, was charged before the PM at the Albury Police Court yesterday morning with stealing, on or about May 29, two sheepskins, valued at 14/-, the property of Collins and Mason, of Smollett-st. William H Bigley, [sic–William Heffernan] and John Tanner, 47, were charged in conjunction, with aiding and abetting in the alleged offence. Tanner was before the court on Wednesday on a charge of stealing one sheepskin, and was remanded on the application of the police. Yesterday Sen-Sergt Brown, who prosecuted, asked permission to withdraw this charge, to which the bench agreed. A remand of the three accused until this morning was then applied for, to enable the production of evidence. Mr Tietyens intimated on behalf of Rossiter that his client would this morning plead guilty to the charge laid against him.

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The Border Morning Mail and Riverina Times, Sat 2 Jun 1906 ³

A SHEEPSKIN CASE.
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    William George Rossiter was charged at the Albury Police Court yesterday with stealing, on or about May 29, two sheepskins, valued at 14/-, the property of Collins and Mason, wool and grain growers, Smollett-street. John Tanner and William Heffernan were charged with aiding and abetting the offence. The three cases were taken together.

    Mr Tietyens appeared for Rossiter, and intimated to the bench that his client would plead guilty.

    Sen-Sergt Brown said that at about noon on May 30 he went, in company with Constable Hansen, to a house in Hume-street, where they saw Heffernan Heffernan, [sic] when asked where he had got two skins which he had in a bag on the previous day denied any knowledge of having either had or seen them. Rossiter was then seen in the same house, and when asked a similar question replied after some hesitation “temptation came in my way, and I fell.” When asked where he got the skins from Rossiter replied, “From a hawker.” Both accused were then arrested, and, together with Tanner, who was already under arrest, were charged. When searched Rossiter had 3/4 in his possession, and Tanner had 6/7. Witness produced the two stolen skins, which he obtained from James Collins on 29th inst.

    Theodore Mason, partner in the firm of Collins and Mason, said he saw his storeman, James Collins, after luncheon on 29th inst, and in consequence of a statement then made to him he sent for Sen-Sergt Brown. The skins he identified as his property, and were two of a lot purchased from Messrs WS Norman and Co on May 18, and which were delivered to his store on May 26. Rossiter had been employed at the store up to and including that day.

    James Collins, storeman for Collins and Mason, said that on May 29 Tanner came into the store and offered to sell him two skins, which he took out of a bag. Witness took the skins, weighed them, and subsequently took him to the office where he saw the clerk hand Tanner 14/-, for which he signed a receipt. Witness did not ask any questions.

    James Oddie, storeman at WS Norman and Co’s, said that Rossiter was working in his store on the afternoon of May 29. Heffernan came to the door and asked to see Rossiter and witness directed him to the room in which he was working. Tanner, who was with Heffernan, did not enter the store, but waited outside for his return. On the morning of the 29th witness saw Rossiter cross the paddock at the rear of Collins and Mason’s store crarying [sic] a bag containing something bulky..

    Constable Hansen said that in a conversation with Heffernan in the lock-up the latter had said that all he knew about the matter was that he (Heffernan) had carried the skins from the house in Hume-street to Mate’s corner. He did not know “they were shook.”

    This completed the Crown case.

    All the accused desired to be dealt with by the bench. Rossiter pleaded guilty, while the other two accused submitted a plea of not guilty.

    John Tanner, labourer, said he was introduced to Rossiter by Heffernan on May 29 in Kiewa-street near Coles’‘ wine cellar. After offering witness a job at cleaning bricks, which he declined, Heffernan said “Rossiter has got some sheepskins to sell; they are straight; you needn’t be frightened of anything. A man owed him some money and gave him the skins.” He next saw the other two accused at the Hume street house, when Heffernan said, “What about those?” Rossiter, who was about to go out, then brought out a bag which he gave to Heffernan; they all walked together to Mate’s corner, where the bag was handed to witness, who took it to Collins and Mason’s, and sold the skins. Witness after being paid, met Heffernan and gave him 11/6 as the proceeds, which the latter took to Rossiter at Norman and Co’s. heffernan told witness that Rossiter had given him (Heffernan) half-a-crown.

    William Heffernan, fitter, said that Rossiter had wanted him to take and sell the skins, but he “wasn’t taking any.” He corroborated the evidence of Tanner, as to the carrying and selling of them.

    Accused, who was subjected a to [sic] searching cross-examination by Sen-Sergt Brown, admitted several prior convictions for drunkenness, and also one of 3 months for stealing a gun.

    Mr Tietyens called evidence as to Rossiter’s character.

    James Collins said that while working in the store Rossiter had been employed by the firm for about nine months, during which time he had done his work well, and the firm had lost or missed nothing.

    Mr HD Tracy, teacher of music and organist at St Matthew’s Church said he had known Rossiter for nearly two years, during which time he had played in his orchestra and had shown himself a capable musician and gentlemanly and upright man. He was a man whom he always regarded as being above his position. His one weakness was drink. Rossiter had, he believed, been educated at the Knellar Military Band College, England.

    Accused was also given an excellent character by Mr J Bohr (at whose house he was staying), and by Mr Theo Mason.

    Mr Tietyens asked the bench to take a lenient view of his client’s case, and apply the provisions of the First Offenders’ Act .

    The PM acquiesced, and sentenced the accused to three month’s imprisonment, the sentence to be suspended upon accused entering into sureties for his good behaviour for twelve months.

    Heffernan was sentenced to six months, and Tanner to three months’ imprisonment, with hard labour in Albury Gaol.

    The skins, together with the cash found upon the three accused (9/7) were ordered to be returned to Messes Collins and Mason.

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The Albury Banner and Wodonga Express, Fri 8 Jun 1906 ⁴

NOTES ON CURRENT EVENTS.
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…
    Theft of Sheepskins.—At the Police Court on Friday, William George Rossiter, John Tanner, and William Heffernan, on remand, were charged in connection with the theft of two sheepskins value at 14/, the property of Messrs Collins and Mason, of Albury. Rossiter was charged with having stolen the skins, and the other accused with aiding and abetting him. Mr Tietyens appeared for Rossiter, who, he said, would plead guilty and throw himself on the mercy of the court. The other accused pleaded not guilty. Senior-sergeant Brown conducted the prosecution. The evidence was to the effect that Rossiter had been working at the store of Collins and Mason for about nine months, and on 26th May, while on a drinking bout, had taken 2 skins from the place. Subsequently he met Heffernan, who arranged with Tanner to dispose of the skins. Tanner sold them to Messrs Collins and Mason again for 14/, and the three men “whacked” the money. The accused Heffernan and Tanner gave evidence on their own behalf. Each of them averred that they did not know the skins had been stolen, though they could not explain why they had gone about the disposal of the skins in the way they did, one of them admitting that a roundabout, out-of-the-way track to the store had been taken. Mr Tietyens called evidence to show that Rossiter’s lapse had been due solely and absolutely to drink. He was a man of exceptional education and training, and an accomplished musician—“a through gentleman when sober,” according to witnesses, “but a different man altogether when drinking.” The other men had both been before the court several times. In view of the circumstances, the PM agreed to extend the provisions of the First Offenders’ Act to Rossiter, and imposed a sentence of three months’ imprisonment, which would be suspended on sureties being forthcoming—self in £50, and two of £25, that accused would be of good behaviour for twelve months. Heffernan (who had before served three months for stealing a gun) was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment with hard labour and Tanner to three months.

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William George Rossiter, Gaol photo sheet ⁵

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Gaol Photo Sheet - Transcribed Details

No. 2790
Bathurst

Date when Portrait was taken: 5-11-1925

Name: William George Rossiter

Native Place England Year of Birth 1870 Arrived in State   Ship Wilcannia                        }  Year 1903 Trade or occupation previous to conviction  } Musician Religion C. E. Education, degree of R & W Height, without shoes 5' 8¾" Weight in lbs.   On committal 216                      }   On discharge Colour of hair Brown Colour of eyes Blue

Marks or special features

(No. of previous Portrait ... )  CONVICTIONS
Where and When				Offence.	Sentence
Albury PC Gulgong PC	1 22	6 8	1906 1925	Stealing Wilfully and Obscenely Expose person	3 months H.L. or Sureties 6 months H.L.

 

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George Rossiter, 1929

Northern Star, Mon 11 Mar 1929 ⁶

GENERAL NEWS
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QUARTER SESSIONS

    Lismore Quarter Sessions and District Court commence to-day. The list of case is light.

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Northern Star, Tue 12 Mar 1929 ⁷

GENERAL NEWS
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JUDGE'S QUIP

    “I congratulate you on coming to your decision at the very instant that the other jury was empanelled,” was his Honour Judge Mocatta’s remark in discharging jurymen who had returned a verdict after a short retirement in a case at Lismore Quarter Sessions yesterday. His Honour was evidently aware of the reluctance to serving on two juries in one day.

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QUARTER SESSIONS.
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Yesterday’s Cases at Lismore
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ELDERLY MAN REMANDED FOR
SENTENCE
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    George Rossiter, an elderly man, appeared before his Honour, Judge Mocatta at the Quarter Sessions, which commenced at Lismore yesterday, charged with on January 4 indecently assaulting a boy [Samuel Phillip Henry Higgins] at Byron Bay. Mr RJ Browning (Crown Prosecutor) conducted the case. After a short retirement the jury returned a verdict of guilty and accused, who had pleaded not guilty, was remanded for sentence until to-day.

    The following jury heard the case: Thomas Stewart Nelson, Edward Bingham Gore, Gilbert Frederick Robbins, Walter Stanley Alexander, Percival John Payne, David Robert Gilmore, John Somerville, Linton Mathieson Gordon, Robert Thomas McClelland, Robert Clarence Gibson, John Sullivan, John Havilah.

    Donald Fraser, shunter, employed by NCSN [North Coast Steam Navigation] Co, Byron Bay, said that accused occupied a room in premises separated from his house in Shirley-street by a lane. At 7.30 pm on January 4 he went to Rossiter’s window and looked in. Accused was sitting on the side of a bed and a boy was sitting on his knee, and as a result of what he saw witness went to the police station and accompanied Sergt Smede back to Rossiter’s room. Witness heard voices. The boy said “No” a couple of times. The sergeant walked into the room and questioned accused.

    Sergt [George Thomas] Smede, Byron Bay, gave evidence that at 7.30 pm Fraser came to the police station and went with him to the house occupied by accused. Witnessed [sic] looked through a window and saw defendant lying on his back and wearing a shirt. Going to a passage at the back of the building, witness watch accused for some seconds. Witness withdrew from the door; Fraser was immediately behind witness and tapped him on the shoulder, pointing to accused. Witness walked into the room and said, “What’s this?” The boy said, “I wasn’t doing anything.” Witness said I have been watching what has been going on. The boy said, “He made me do it. That man told me to come here. This is the first time.” Witness said to accused, “What have you to say to this?” He said, “I wasn’t doing anything to the boy.” Accused said, “What brought you here? Someone must have complained.” Fraser stepped into the room and accused remarked, “Mr Fraser.” “This has been going on long enough,” said Fraser, and accused then said, “I don’t encourage the boys here. They come of their own accord.” Fraser replied, “When you have one here, you do not want the others.” When charged Rossiter declared on his honour that he did not assault the boy. Accused was at one time bandmaster of Byron Bay band, and on being searched some small change, a watch, and some lollies were found.

    Giving evidence, the boy [Samuel Phillip Henry Higgins], who gave his age as thirteen years, said he first met accused on the jetty. Rossiter invited him to his room on Christmas Eve, saying he had some cakes and would tell him some stories. Witness went to accused’s room at 7.30 on the night of January 4. Rossiter was sitting on the bed when he entered and got up and gave him some biscuits. Witness described subsequent happenings and said he tried to get away from accused, and later Sgt Smede and Fraser came.

    Accused [George Rossiter] then made a statement from the dock. He said that previous to the night of his arrest he had been drinking methylated spirits. He was continuing the habit, when the boy suddenly entered his room. He was not responsible for his actions and denied that he interfered with the boy. “It looks very black against me,” accused added, addressing his Honour, “and I hope you will condescend to look at my military records. ⁸ I am sorry for what I have done. I was in a very bad state. I have been in four wars, three in Africa, in Burma, and in France. I had eight ribbons, but some have been stolen from me. I simply place myself on the mercy of the court.”

    Accused tendered his military discharges.

    Sgt Smede, recalled, said that it was obvious to him on the night of the arrest that accused had been drinking. He thought it would be true that accused had been drinking methylated spirits. He took a bottle from Rossiter in accused’s room.

    Sgt Asprey tendered the following list of convictions against accused: Albury (1906) stealing, three months’ imprisonment; Corowa (1914), stealing, fined £2 or one month’s imprisonment; Gulgong (1925), indecent exposure, six months’ imprisonment.

    The jury returned a verdict of guilty, and accused was remanded for sentence until to-day.

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Northern Star, Wed 13 Mar 1929 ⁹

QUARTER SESSIONS
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FINALISED YESTERDAY AT
LISMORE
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INDECENT ASSAULT

    George Rossiter, who was remanded for sentence on a charge of on January 4 indecently assaulting a boy at Byron Bay, was sentenced to twelve months’ imprisonment in such gaol as the Comptroller of Prisons may direct.

    In sentencing accused, his Honour said he had seen Rossiter’s military record, and was able to judge his career. Accused had had some aberration induced by drink and having regard to his previous record, he seemed an addict to a beastly and abominable habit.

    A second charge of a similar nature to which accused pleaded not guilty was withdrawn.

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George Rossiter, Gaol photo sheet ¹⁰

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Gaol Photo Sheet - Transcribed Details

No. 2091
Maitland                                               

Date when Portrait was taken: 28-5-1929

Name: George Rossiter
(aka William George Rossiter)

Native place: England Year of birth: 26-8-1870 Arrived       Ship: in Colony }   Year: Trade or occupation previous to conviction  } Gardener Religion: C of E Education, degree of: R & W Height: 5' 9" Weight     On committal: in lbs     } On discharge: Colour of hair: Grey Colour of eyes: Hazel

Marks or special features: Bullet wounds, abdomen, right and left side.

(No. of previous Portrait .. 2790 B[athurst]) CONVICTIONS
Where and When				Offence.	Sentence
Lismore Q.S	11	3	1929	Indecent assault on a male person	12 months H.L.
2 previous convictions

 

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¹     The Albury Banner and Wodonga Express, (NSW), Fri 1 Jun 1906, p. 21. Emphasis added.

²     The Border Morning Mail and Riverina Times, (Albury, NSW), Fri 1 Jun 1906, p. 2.

³     The Border Morning Mail and Riverina Times, (Albury, NSW), Sat 2 Jun 1906, p. 4. Emphasis added.

⁴     The Albury Banner and Wodonga Express, (NSW), Fri 8 Jun 1906, pP. 22, 23.

⁵     SRNSW: NRS1998, [3/5968], Bathurst Gaol photographic description book, 1874-1930, No. 2790, p. 149, R5088.

⁶     Northern Star (Lismore, NSW), Mon 11 Mar 1929, p. 6.

⁷     Northern Star (Lismore, NSW), Tue 12 Mar 1929, pp. 4, 7. Emphasis added.

⁸     To view the digitised WWI service record (service No. 2330, barcode 8037932) of George Rossiter to go: www.naa.gov.au

⁹     Northern Star (Lismore, NSW), Wed 13 Mar 1929, p. 7.

¹⁰   SRNSW: NRS2327, [3/5992], Maitland Gaol Photograph description sheets, 1875-1930, No. 2091, p. 60, R5132.

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