The Dubbo Liberal and Macquarie Advocate, Wed 29 Jan 1896 ¹

DUBBO QUARTER SESSIONS.
———
Tuesday, January 28.
(Before his Honor Judge Docker and Juries.)

    Mr AB Shand prosecuted on behalf of the Crown.
…

AN UNNATURAL OFFENCE.

    John Thompson was charged with having at Narromine, on November 9th last, committed an unnatural offence on a mare.

    The accused, who was undefended, pleaded not guilty.

    The Crown Prosecutor, in opening the case, stated that the offence was committed on a run at Narromine. A boundary rider named Behrens saw the accused go up to a mare which was hobbled. He took the hobbles off the animal, put a strap round her neck, and lead her away to a log. The man saw accused commit the offence.

    Edward Behrens, boundary rider on Collyburl, described what he saw, and he went on to say that he ran down to accused, and called him a dirty scoundrel, and threatened to give him in charge. The accused then led the horse away, and as they walked along, accused said “What is the matter, what was I doing?” and witness replied, “You know what you were doing.” The man then said, “I know you well; I’ll cook your goose to-night.” Witness went for a constable, and when he came back with him accused said, “I see you’ve brought him,” and witness replied “yes.” The constable told accused what witness had told him, and asked him if he had a horse, and he replied that he had a mare. He afterwards said he was washing the mare’s back, as it had a sore there. They went and looked at the mare. There was a sweat boil on the horse, but no mark of water as if it had been washed. They hen walked towards the log, and witness pointed it out to the constable. Turning to accused witness said “Is that the right log?” and he replied “yes, I see you know it.” There were footmarks traceable on the loge and around it. The log was about 40 yards from any water. The offence was committed in the morning.

    The accused did not ask the witness any questions.

    Constable Henry Stuart, stationed at Narromine, said Edward Behrens came to him about 10 o’clock on the morning of November 9. He went with Behrens about three miles, and they came to the accused sitting in his tent. Witness asked him his name, and he replied that it was Jack Thompson. Witness then told accused what Behrens had said, and accused said he was washing the mare’s back, as she had a sore back. Asked him where his mare was, and he replied at the back of the river. They went to where the mare was grazing, and Behrens pointed her out, and accused replied “That’s her.” He caught the mare—a very quiet one—and examined her. She did not have a sore back, and there were no signs of recent washing. They then went to the log, and leading up to it there were horse’s tracks, and marks where a horse had been standing. There were also footmarks round the log. Witness charged the accused, and he made no reply. Subsequently accused said that Behrens was telling a lot of lies.

    The accused said he did not wish to give evidence, and he had no witnesses to call. He told the jury that he was travelling about the country, and had no relatives and friends. He took the mare up to the log to wash her, and he had no sooner got there when the man sang out to him. Accused asked him what he thought he was doing, but Behrens could not tell him. He had no thought of doing what he was charged with, and he denied the offence.

    After his Honor had summed up, Behrens was re-called at the request of a juryman, and in answer to a question said the accused did not have any water near the mare, nor any vessel.

    The jury found the accused guilty, and he was remanded for sentence.

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The Dubbo Liberal and Macquarie Advocate, Sat 1 Feb 1896 ²

DUBBO QUARTER SESSIONS.
———
Wednesday, January 29.
(Before his Honor Judge Docker and Juries.)

    Mr GH Taylor, JP, Deputy Sheriff, attended his Honor.

    Mr AB Shand prosecuted on behalf of the Crown.
…

Friday, January 31.

SENTENCES.

…
    John Thompson, who had been found guilty of beastiality, was sentenced to five years’ penal servitude, the lowest sentence which the law allows.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

John Thompson, Gaol photo sheet ³

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Gaol Photo Sheet - Transcribed Details

No. 1071
Bathurst

Date when Portrait was taken: 19-2-1896

 Name: John Thompson

Native place: BC Goulburn Year of birth: 1877 Arrived       Ship: in Colony }   Year: Trade or occupation previous to conviction  } Laborer Religion: Church of England Education, degree of: Nil Height: 5' 4" Weight     On committal: 126 in lbs     } On discharge: Colour of hair: Fair Colour of eyes: Blue Marks or special features: Right wrist has been broken

(No. of Previous Portrait ... )  CONVICTIONS
Where and When				Offence.	Sentence
Dubbo Q.S	28	1	1894	Beastiality [sic]	2 years PS

 

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¹  The Dubbo Liberal and Macquarie Advocate, Wed 29 Jan 1896, p. 2. Emphasis added.

²  The Dubbo Liberal and Macquarie Advocate, Sat 1 Feb 1896, pp. 2, 4<.

³  SRNSW: NRS1998, [3/5959], Bathurst Gaol photographic description book, 1874-1930, No.1071, p. 209, R5085.

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