Clarence and Richmond Examiner and New England Advertiser, Sat 13 Dec 1884 1
FACT AND RUMOUR.
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At the Police Court, yesterday, William Tombs was committed on a charge of sodomy.
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Clarence and Richmond Examiner and New England Advertiser, Tue 16 Dec 1884 2
GRAFTON POLICE COURT.
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 11.
(Before Mr B Lodge, JP.)
SODOMY.
William Tombs was charged with this offence.
Mr F Norrie appeared for the defence.
Constable Cowie deposed, that at 8.30 the previous evening he went to the residence of George Reynolds. From something he told him he arrested the defendant and brought him to the watch-house, and charged him with the offence. In answer to the charge he said they were playing mullet, and anything done to young Reynolds was only done in fun. On the way to the lockup defendant said he would do away with himself when he came out.
By Mr Norrie: He seemed much cut up at being arrested.
Sergeant McCormack asked for a remand till the next day which was granted.
Mr Norrie applied for bail, but this was objected to by the police and refused by the Bench.
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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 12.
Before the Police Magistrate.
William Tombs, on remand, was again brought up. Mr Norrie appeared on behalf of the defendant.
Richard Reynolds, 11 years of age, being sworn, stated he, his brother, and defendant were at Dean’s bathing house on Wednesday at about 6.30 pm, bathing. Defendant and he were in the water together playing mullet. (Witness here, at the request of Sub-inspector Garvin, described this game). After they were playing, complainant was sitting on a plank and defendant was sitting on another yard distant, as shown in the plan produced. Complainant jumped into the water which was about 6 feet deep, and defendant jumped in after him and took hold of him while he retained hold of the plank. (Witness here described the nature of the offence, the details of which are entirely unfit for publication.) He went home, and after being there a quarter of an hour, told his mother what had occurred.
By Mr Norrie: Was in the water half an hour before defendant came. It was complainant’s turn to be caught playing the game mullet, when he jumped off the plank.
Dr Purdie stated that he had heard the evidence given by complainant, and his opinion was that he could not say if the offence had been committed as alleged, even if examination had been made immediately afterwards. This was the reason he declined to examine Reynolds, after hearing the facts of the case.
By Mr Norrie: From the boy’s own evidence, it is highly improbable that an offence as that described could have been committed.
For the defence, Dr Honison stated that in this case his opinion was that it was impossible for the offence to have been committed, as alleged.
The Police Magistrate, [Mr B Lodge, JP] said his duty was an unpleasant one, but he would not shirk it, and asked defendant if he had anything to say why he should not be committed.
Defendant [William Tombs] said they were merely playing together.
Defendant was then committed to take his trial for indecent assault, at the next court of Quarter Sessions on the 9th February. Bail allowed himself in £40, and two sureties of £20 each.
1 Clarence and Richmond Examiner and New England Advertiser, Sat 13 Dec 1884, p. 4.
2 Clarence and Richmond Examiner and New England Advertiser, Tue 16 Dec 1884, p. 2. Emphasis added.