The Deniliquin Independent, Fri 9 Oct 1903 1
DENILIQUIN POLICE COURT.
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Saturday, October 3.
(Before the Police Magistrate.)
…
Monday, October 5.
(Before the Police Magistrate.)
…
A Serious Charge.
John Robb, an old man of 75 years, was charged with attempting to commit beastiality. After Constable [John Lindsay] Kelton and Andrew Smith Hamilton had given evidence, the particulars of which are unfit for publication, accused made a statement denying the charge.
He was committed to take his trial at the Circuit Court to be held on Wednesday, 14th inst. Bail was allowed, self in £60 and two sureties of £30 each, or one of £60.
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The Pastoral Times, Sat 10 Oct 1903 2
DENILIQUIN POLICE COURT.
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Saturday, October 3.
(Before Mr FW Garstang, PM.)
…
Monday, October 5.
(Before Mr FW Garstang, PM.)
COMMITTED FOR TRIAL.
John Robb, aged 75, was charged with attempted bestiality at North Deniliquin on the night of the 3rd inst.
Particulars of the alleged attempted offence were given by Constable Kelton and Andrew S Hamilton.
The accused was committed for trial at the Circuit Court on the 14th inst. Bail was allowed – self in £60 and two sureties in £30 each.
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The Deniliquin Independent, Fri 16 Oct 1903 3
DENILIQUIN CIRCUIT COURT.
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Wednesday, October 15.
(Before His Honor Mr Justice GB Simpson.)
Mr Henry Montague Stephen prosecuted for the Crown, and Mr Alex McCollough occupied a seat on the Bench as deputy sheriff.
…
Thursday, Oct 15.
ALLEGED BEASTIALITY. [sic]
John Robb was charged with attempting to commit an unnatural offence, and pleaded not guilty. Mr Wilkinson appeared for prisoner and the following jury was sworn:—GW Pridmore, Geo Gall, Robt Wallace, David Glenn, John McMillan, AE Perrin, Joseph Brown, D Mitchellhill, Louis Harrison, C McAllister, GTH Fowell, and Thos Rose.
Evidence was given by Constable Kelton and AS Hamilton for the Crown, and by C Giulieri and the accused [John Robb] for the defence.
His Honor summed up strongly in favor [sic] of the prisoner, and after half an hour’s retirement the jury brought in a verdict of not guilty.
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The Independent, Fri 16 Oct 1903 4
DENILIQUIN CIRCUIT COURT.
———◦———
Wednesday, October 15. [sic]
(Before His Honor Mr Justice GB
Simpson.)
Mr Henry Montague Stephen prosecuted for the Crown, and Mr Alex McCollough occupied a seat on the Bench as deputy sheriff.
…
Thursday Oct. 15.
ALLEGED BEASTIALITY.
John Robb was charged with attempting to commit an unnatural offence, and pleaded not guilty. Mr Wilkinson appeared for prisoner and the following jury were sworn:—GW Pridmore, Geo Gall, Robt Wallace, David Glenn, John McMillan, AE Perrin, Joseph Brown, D Mitchellhill, Louis Harrison, C McAllister, GTH Fowell, and Thos Rose.
Evidence was given by Constable Kelton and AS Hamilton, for the Crown, and by C Giulieri and the accused [John Robb] for the defence.
His Honor summed up strongly in favor of the prisoner, and after half an hour’s retirement the jury brought in a verdict of not guilty.
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The Pastoral Times, Sat 17 Oct 1903 5
DENILIQUIN CIRCUIT COURT.
———◦———
(Before his Honor Mr Justice Simpson).
Wednesday, October 14.
…
ALLEGED BESTIALITY.
John Robb was charged with attempted (bestiality ?) at North Deniliquin on the 3rd (October ?). (Mr ?) Wilkinson appeared for the accused, who pleaded (not ?) guilty.
The following jury was empanelled:—GW Pridmore, G Gall, R Wallace, D Glenn, John McMillan, AE Perrin, J Brown, D Mitchellhill, Louis Harrison, C McAlister, GTH Fowell, T Rose.
The accused challenged six jurymen.
Constable Kelton gave evidence (relating ?) (to ?) alleged offence which was committed on (?) a yard at the Sandhurst Hotel.
While the witness was giving evidence (his ?) (Honor ?) interposed and asked why, when he knew the accused was acting, he did not stop committing the offence. “It was your (duty ?) (to ?) stop him,” said his Honor, who then (?) Superintendent Cameron and said “(he ?) will pay attention to this.”
Witness said he did not know what (?) (intended ?) to do. His actions were peculiar (and ?) (suspicious ?) and he therefore watched him.
His Honor: It was your duty to stop (him ?).
Later on his Honor said “All this (might ?) easily been avoided if you had (stopped ?) this man, and we would not (be ?) compelled to listen to these beastly (?). I hope in the future if ever you (?) sort of think again you will stop it at once, (?) policeman should do. You must have known (what ?) he was likely to do and yet you let it go on.
Before the constable’s evidence was (?). His Honor again said: It is utterly (?) me to express my abhorrence of mankind, yet I have to listen to these filthy (?) is the duty of the police to prevent the (?) of crime and not to wait until it happens.
Andrew Smith Hamilton, farmer, gave (evidence ?) corroborative of that given by Constable Kelton.
This closed the case for the Crown.
For the defence, the accused [John Robb] (who was 75 years old on October 31) and Charles (Giulieri ?) gave evidence.
Mr Wilkinson having addressed the jury on prisoner’s behalf.
His Honor then summed up. He again would like to impress the fact upon all police that it was their duty to prevent the (committing ?) (of ?) offences, and if they saw outward acts (?) the suggestions of offences it was their duty (to ?) (interfere ?) at once. They should not watch until some serious act took place. (There ?) (would ?) have been an end to this matter if the (two ?) witnesses had stopped the accused as soon (they ?) saw him. He did wish to be unjust (or ?) ( thing ?) harsh about this particular case, but (?) about offences generally. In his anxiety (?) was right according to the way he looked (?) expected the constable thought his action (was ?) perfectly justifiable. He (his Honor) (did ?) to unjustly blame Constable Kelton at (all ?) (and ?) hoped the police generally would (understand ?) should prevent offences where they possibly (can ?).
After an absence of 20 minutes the jury (returned ?) with a verdict of not guilty.
His Honor said the verdict ought not be a reflection upon either Constable Kelton or (Hamilton ?). the jury was not perfectly satisfied as to (the ?) an unmistakable attempt to commit an (offence ?), thought he might add he was of the (opinion ?) (the ?) verdict had been correctly given.
1 The Deniliquin Independent, Fri 9 Oct 1903, p. 3. Emphasis added.
2 The Pastoral Times, Sat 10 Oct 1903, p. 2. Emphasis added.
3 The Deniliquin Independent, Fri 16 Oct 1903, p. 2. Emphasis added.
4 The Independent, (Deniliquin, NSW) Fri 16 Oct 1903, p. 2.
5 The Pastoral Times, Sat 17 Oct 1903, p. 2. Emphasis added. The marginal text of the newspaper was not microfilmed, hence some words could not be transcribed.