The Sydney Morning Herald, Fri 20 Mar 1868 1
BRAIDWOOD QUARTER SESSIONS.
MONDAY.
BEFORE District Judge SIMPSON.
This Court opened to-day (March 16th), at 10 o’clock. Mr WR Templeton prosecuting for the Crown.
Attorneys present: Messrs EA Scarvell, Macnish, and Fell.
Richard Bent was indicted for stealing a hide, the property of William Taylor, of Bedervale, on the 8th September last. From the evidence it appeared that the hide in question was placed on a fence at Bedervale and stolen therefrom; it was sold by the prisoner to Mr Agar, tanner, in Braidwood the jury found the prisoner guilty of larceny, and he was sentenced to nine months’ hard labor in Goulburn gaol.
Johannah Bogan was arraigned for stealing, on the 25th November, at Araluen, £8 10s, the property of one Thomas Clewen. On the day mentioned the prosecutor left his hut about 4 o’clock in the afternoon, and when he returned he found his things tumbled about, and was informed that Mrs Bogan was seen to go into the hut by a witness and three women. His money was sewn up in the waistband of a pair of trousers, which consisted of eight one-pound notes on the Oriental Bank, and a half-sovereign. Constable Williams went to Johnson’s public- house with the prosecutor and found the prisoner there. When the constable told her the charge she said “I’ve no money.” Upon searching the prisoner found seven one-pound notes, a half-sovereign, and a box of sardines in her pocket. She said to the prosecutor, “Young man, if you don’t prosecute me you may keep the money.” Clewen had also lost a box of sardines, and on looking at the waistband of his trousers fund a piece of a note which fitted in a hole of one of the notes found on the prisoner. Verdict, guilty. Sentenced to twelve months’ hard labour in Goulburn gaol, with the first day in each month for three months solitary confinement.
Ah Hing Foul was acquitted on the charge of stealing a pair of boots, the property of James Munroe and another.
John Lynch, aged 49, though looking very much older, was found guilty of an indecent assault upon William Taylor, a lad of 11 years old, residing at Charleyong. The evidence was most conclusive, and of a most disgusting nature. He was sentenced to two years’ hard labour on the roads.
Matthew Yates pleaded guilty of obtaining money under false pretences—begging for money. Twelve months’ hard labour in Goulburn gaol.
The Court then adjourned till 10 o’clock the next day.
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TUESDAY.
Sarah Charmont (on bail), was arraigned for, on the 25th July last, at Bodalla, stealing 1 prayer-book, 6 pocket-handkerchiefs, 12 yards of gingham, 3 pairs corsets, 4 night-dresses, 2 pair combs, 1 parasol, 4 pairs kid gloves, 1 clothes’ brush, 2 pieces insertion, 1 collar, and 14 yards ribbon, goods amounting in value to about £8, the property of one Robert Clarke. Plea not guilty. The prisoner was defended by Mr WC Fell. At the time of her apprehension by sergeant Brennan at her mother’s house, at Moruya, she said she was innocent, and that she had bought the handkerchiefs from the prisoner’s son in March last. Ellen Clarke, wife of prosecutor , in consequence of ill health was in Sydney for six months, and the prisoner acted as general servant, assisting in the store. Upon Mrs Clarke’s return from information received, she, in the temporary absence of the prisoner, unlocked her box in the presence of her husband and son, and found the things mentioned in the indictment. On the following day Brennan was called in and took possession of the goods claimed by Mr Clarke, Robert Clarke, the prosecutor, who is a publican and storekeeper, and his sons, Benjamin and John, identified the prayer book and brush, and several samples from the store were produced, which tallied with the articles found in the girl’s box. The counsel for the defendant deprecated in strong terms the manner in which Mrs Clarke opened the prisoner’s box in her absence, which was by a key she obtained from another box in the store. He also suggested that, in consequence of the prisoner’s bedroom opening from the public room of the hotel it was possible that the articles had been placed there unknown to the prisoner, as revenge for having pelted some person. The jury retired, and after an absence of about a quarter of an hour returned a verdict of not guilty.
Peter Randall (on bail) was indicted that he did, on the 13th January, 1868, at Araluen, feloniously, unlawfully, and maliciously injure a cow, the property of one Robert Green. The prisoner pleaded not guilty, and was defended by Mr EA Scarvell. Verdict, not guilty.
Margaret Greenwood (on bail) was indicted for that she did, on the 10th November, at Araluen, feloniously and maliciously set fire to rag on paper with intent to burn an outhouse of John Lynch. Verdict, guilty. Sentenced to three months in Braidwood gaol.
The court then adjourned sine die.
1 The Sydney Morning Herald, Fri 20 Mar 1868, p. 3. Emphasis added.