Evening News, Tue 27 Feb 1894 1

GUNNEDAH QUARTER SESSIONS.
————

    GUNNEDAH, Tuesday.—The quarter sessions opened before Judge Gibson yesterday, Mr Armstrong prosecuting for the Crown. Thomas Allen, charged with stealing a mare, was found not guilty. John Gallagher, charged with a similar offence, was also found not guilty. In the case of James McCann, [aka James Ryan], charged with attempting to commit an abominable offence, the jury, after being lockup for 17 hours, were unable to agree. Accused was allowed bail, self in £80 and two sureties of £40 each. John Raines, for committing an unnatural offence, was found guilty and sentenced to six months in Gunnedah Gaol.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Namoi Independent and Advertiser, Tue 27 Feb 1894 2

[GUNNEDAH] QUARTER SESSIONS.
Monday, February 26.
(Before His Honor Judge Gibson.)

    The Quarter Sessions were opened yesterday (Monday) morning by His Honor Judge Gibson. Mr Armstrong prosecuted on behalf of the Crown.
…
    James McCann was charged with attempting to commit an abominable offence, [buggery upon Michael O’Donnell], on October 31, 1893.

    Accused pleaded not guilty.

    Jury:— J Case, JH Davies, G Wollaston, G Burton, GH Brown, WJ Clonan, W Watts, J Donaldson, JL Cushan, E Clemesha, HJ Weaver, D Ryan.

    Michael O’Donnell gave evidence as to the alleged offence.

    Sergeant [ Leopold Hubert] Calov deposed to arresting the accused.

    Accused [James Ryan] went into the box and gave evidence for the defence.

    The jury after a retirement of 4 hours, had not agreed.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Namoi Independent and Advertiser, Fri 2 Mar 1894 3

QUARTER SESSIONS.
Tuesday, February 27.
(Before His Honor Judge Gibson.)

    The Quarter Sessions were continued on Tuesday morning, before His Honor Judge Gibson. Mr Armstrong prosecuted on behalf of the Crown. Mr Hogarth representing the legal profession.

    James McCann was charged with attempting to commit an abominable offence on October 31, 1893.

    Accused pleaded not guilty.

    Jury:—J Case, JH Davies, G Wollaston, G Burton, GH Brown WJ Clonan, W Watts, J Donaldson, JL Cushan, E Clemesha, HJ Weaver, D Ryan.

    The jury after being locked up all night were unable to agree, and were discharged.

    James McCann was then re-tried.

    Jury:– D Ryan, P Barcey, GT Davidson, GW Hawke, J Cameron, H Pike, W Burton, S Perrett, WJ Clonan, JP Cantrell, J Cube and G Wollaston.

    The evidence was reheard and the jury retired and after few minutes consideration brought in a verdict of guilty. Accused was sentenced to eight months’ imprisonment, with hard labour, in Tamworth gaol, having already been imprisoned four months.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~


James McCann (aka James Ryan), Gaol photo sheet 4

SRNSW: NRS2528, [3/5997], Tamworth Gaol photographic description book, 1894-1929, No. 13, p.13, R5139.


Gaol Photo Sheet - Transcribed Details

No. 13
Tamworth

Date when Portrait was taken: August 7th 1894.

Name: James McCann
(aka James Ryan)

Native place: Ireland

Year of birth: 1857

Arrived       Ship: British Nation
in Colony }   Year: 1876

Trade or occupation
previous to conviction  } Laborer

Religion: RC

Education, degree of: R and W

Height: 5' 3½"

Weight     On committal:
in lbs     } On discharge:

Colour of hair: Brown & Grey

Colour of eyes: Brown


Marks or special features: 1st finger left hand crooked. Nose slightly crooked.

(No. of previous Portrait ... ) 

PREVIOUS CONVICTIONS
Where and When Offence. Sentence

Gunnedah Q.S

27

 2

 1894

Attempted Buggery

8 months H.L. Tamworth Gaol

 

1     Evening News, (Sydney, NSW), Tue 27 Feb 1894, p. 3. Emphasis added.

2     The Namoi Independent and Advertiser, Tue 27 Feb 1894, p. 3. Emphasis added.

3     The Namoi Independent and Advertiser, Fri 2 Mar 1894, p. 3.

4     SRNSW: NRS2528, [3/5997], Tamworth Gaol photographic description book, 1894-1929, No. 13, p.13, R5139.

 

Sodomy