Daily Examiner, Thu 26 Jul 1928 1

MACLEAN POLICE COURT
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Three Months Imprisonment.
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    At the Maclean Police Court, before Messrs LA Macdonald and AE Harrison, JsP, on Saturday, Malcolm Cameron, aged 35, was charged with exposure on July 20 in Salem street, Maclean.

    Mr T McL Lobban appeared for the defendant.

    Constable TH Steer said that following on complaints received from residents he had the defendant’s house under observation for several nights during the past fortnight. About 7 o’clock on the night in question he saw defendant at the door of his house with lighted lamp in his right hand. Defendant came on to the verandah clad only in a shirt, and walked up and down the verandah several times. After remaining on the verandah for about 10 minuted he again went into the bedroom leaving the door open behind him.

    To Mr Lobban: Witness said the accused appeared to be quite normal. Complaints had been made by two of the residents in the vicinity.

    The defendant gave evidence denying the charge and stating he was not on the verandah that night as alleged. When the constable knocked at the door he was in his bedroom finishing a shave.

    Defendant was convicted and sentenced to imprisonment for three months with hard labor in Grafton gaol. In addition he was required to enter into recognisances to be of good behavior for a period of 12 months, self in £50, with one surety of £50 or two of £25. In default of such recognisance a further period of three months The bench also recommended that accused should be placed under medical observation.

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The Richmond River Herald and Northern Districts Advertiser, Fri 27 Jul 1928 ²

LOCAL AND GENERAL.
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    QUEEN MARY AND IMMODEST DRESS. — Despite, the prevailing heat, and the fact that sleeveless frocks are at present in fashion, the Queen (says a cable this week) remains adamant that sleeves must be worn at Royal garden parties. It is common knowledge that the Queen is rigidly opposed to anything approaching immodesty in dress. Dresses this year will also be longer than they have been for some years.
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    MOLLYCODDLING TYPE OF MAGISTRATES. — Speaking at Auburn Council meeting this week, Ald[erman] Cheetham said much of the present crime wave was due to the system of “mollycoddling criminals,” by magistrates and the authorities. Ald[erman] Chapman said the magistrates were too kind-hearted, and added that if the lash were introduced there would be a great deal less crime. Council, however, refuse to co-operate with other Councils in a protest to the Government against the abandonment of the death penalty and the abolition of the cat-o-nine-tails.
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    “RESPECTABLE WOMEN” THIEVES. — Two women were brought before the Newcastle Police Court on Monday charged with a number of cases of breaking, entering, and stealing from week-end places at Lake Macquarie. On the application of the solicitor for the defence the women were treated as first offenders, and the cases were heard behind closed doors. A large and varied collection of articles, including gramophones and wireless batteries, was in court, and it was stated that the total value of the property stolen was £112. Both women pleaded guilty, and elected to be summarily dealt with. The Magistrate said he had a good mind to send the pair to gaol, but there were the young families to consider. After consultation with the women’s husbands, who hold good positions in the town, the solicitor for the defence said that fines were preferable, and each woman was then fined £5 on each charge, and ordered to pay £24 compensation and witnesses’ expenses, as well as court and professional costs. The total amount of fines and compensation in each case would thus amount to about £64.
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    WILFUL AND OBSCENE EXPOSURE. — At Maclean Police Court on Saturday, before Messrs LA Macdonald and AE Harrison, JsP, Malcolm Cameron, aged 35, a painter, was charged with wilfully and obscenely exposing himself in Salem Street, Maclean.

    Mr Lobban appeared for accused, who pleaded not guilty.

    Constable Steer gave evidence of having watched the house where defendant stayed for several nights, and on the night of the 20th instant saw him walking on the verandah with only a shirt on and wilfully exposing himself.

    Defendant’s evidence was a total denial of the statement of the constable, but after an address by Mr Lobban, the Bench decided to convict.

    Sergeant Capp stated that neighbors had left the vicinity owing to defendant’s conduct, and he asked for a heavy penalty.

    Defendant was sentenced to be imprisoned with hard labor in Grafton goal for three months, and in addition to enter into a recognisance to be of good behaviour for a period of 12 months, in a surety of £20 or two of £10 each, in default of entering into such recognisance to be imprisoned for a further period of three months. The Bench also recommended that defendant be placed under medical observation.

 

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1     Daily Examiner, (Grafton, NSW), Thu 26 Jul 1926, p. 6. Emphasis added.

2     The Richmond River Herald and Northern Districts Advertiser, (NSW), Fri 27 Jul 1928, p. 4. Emphasis added.

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