Evening News, Sat 17 Jan 1903 1

BREVITIES.
———◦———

…
    At the Newtown Police Court, two men named Robert Berry and Robert Sargant [sic], were committed for trial on a charge of having attempted to commit a serious offence at Arncliffe on the 9th instant.

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The Sydney Morning Herald, Sat 17 Jan 1903 2

POLICE COURTS.
———◦———

…
    Committed for Trial.—At the Newtown Police Court yesterday, before Mr Barnett, DSM,
…
    At the same Court Robert Sargant, [aka Robert Sargent] aged 52, and Robert Berry, aged 35, were charged with having committed a serious offence, [attempt to commit sodomy]. They were committed for trial at the next Court of Quarter Sessions. Bail was allowed.

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The Daily Telegraph, Tue 10 Feb 1903 3

METROPOLITAN QUARTER SESSIONS.
———
(Before Judge Rogers and Juries)

    Mr Herbert Harris prosecuted for the Crown.
…

A CRIMINAL OFFENCE.

    Robert Sargant and Robert Berry (a native of the New Hebrides) were charged with having committed a criminal offence at Arncliffe, on January 9.

    A verdict of guilty was returned, with a recommendation that Sargant be shown mercy.

    A sentence of twelve months’ hard labor was passed—sentences to be suspended on sureties being found to be of good behaviour for twelve months; Sargant, self in £80, and one surety of £80, or two in £40 each; and Berry, his own recognisance of £100.

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The Sydney Morning Herald, Tue 10 Feb 1903 4

QUARTER SESSIONS.
(Before Judge Rogers and juries)

    Mr Herbert Harris Crown Prosecutor.
…

A SERIOUS CHARGE.

    Robert Sargant and Robert Berry, a South Sea Islander, pleaded not guilty to a charge of serious misconduct at Arncliffe on January 9. Mr Pickburn appeared for Sargant. Berry was undefended. Accused Sargant was given a good character. The jury, after an hour and half’s consideration, returned into court with a verdict of guilty against both prisoners. In the case of Sargant the jury strongly recommended the prisoner to mercy. His Honor imposed a sentence of imprisonment on each for 12 months, but the sentence was ordered to be suspended in Sargant’s case upon prisoner entering into his own recognisance in £80, and finding one surety in £80, to be of good behaviour for 12 months, and in Berry’s case upon entering into his own recognisance in £100 to be of good behaviour for 12 months.

    The Court adjourned to the following day.

 


1     Evening News, (Sydney, NSW), Sat 17 Jan 1903, p. 3.

2     The Sydney Morning Herald, Sat 17 Jan 1903, p. 6.

3     The Daily Telegraph, Tue 10 Feb 1903, p. 3.

4     The Sydney Morning Herald, Tue 12 Feb 1903, p. 7.