The Burrangong Chronicle and Young and Lachlan District Advertiser, Sat 16 Jan 1897 1
YOUNG QUARTER SESSIONS.
———◦———
Thursday, January 14, 1897.
Before Acting Judge Merewether.
The Court opened at 10 o’clock, the Bar represented by Mr Harris, Crown Prosecutor, and Mr Milner Stephens.
…
AN UNNATURAL OFFENCE.
Harold [aka Harrold] Collins was indicted, charged with committing an unnatural offence on a boy named William Boyd. There was a second count, to both of which prisoner in a loud tone of voice pleaded not guilty. Owing to the nature of the case the court was cleared of females and all males under the age of 21. Prisoner was undefended.
The Crown Prosecutor explained the law relating to such offence and called evidence which cannot be published. The evidence did not close until half-past 3 o’clock, when the prisoner, declining to enter the witness- box and be sworn, made a statement from the dock, its delivery extending over three quarters of an hour, the argument being mistaken identity, he the victim of facial similarity. The case was not concluded until 5.15. His Honour informing the jury the evidence was not conclusive enough to convict on the first count, they returned a verdict of attempt to commit an unnatural offence. Although prisoner maintained he had never been convicted of an offence or even before appeared before a jury, a long array of previous conviction were produced. He was remanded for sentence.
The Court then adjourned till 9.30 this morning, when the sentences will be pronounced, the District Court opening at 10 o’clock.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Evening News, Sat 16 Jan 1897 2
YOUNG QUARTER SESSIONS.
————
YOUNG, Saturday.—The quarter sessions were continued before Acting Judge Merewether.
…
Harold Collins was charged with assault on a boy 11 years old, and after the trial which lasted all day, he was found guilty of attempt. Previous convictions were shown against the accused, who was remanded for sentence to the district court, opened this morning.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
The Burrangong Chronicle and Young and Lachlan District Advertiser, Wed 20 Jan 1897 3
YOUNG QUARTER SESSIONS.
———◦———
Friday, January 15, 1817. [sic]
Before Acting Judge Merewether.
AN UNNATURAL OFFENCE.
The case against Harold Collins was proceeded with after we went to Press, the following evidence taken:—
After a brief adjournment for refreshments, the jury returned into court, whereupon His Honor commenced his summing up, reviewing the evidence at length.
The jury then retired, and after an absence of about ten minutes, returned into Court to ask could the jury find the prisoner guilty of attempt to commit the offence.
His Honor replied that would be a good verdict on the second count of an attempt to commit the crime.
Without retiring from the court the jury returned their verdict of guilty of the attempt to commit the offence.
His Honor asked what was known of prisoner, whereupon
Mr Adamson (gaoler) replied as follows:—Central Police office, 8th October, 1891, exposed person, 3 months’ hard labour; Dubbo Police Office, September 7, 1892, stealing, 3 months’ hard labor; Sydney Quarter Sessions, February 10th, 1893, breaking, entering, and stealing, 2½ years hard labor, Paddington Police Office, Sydney, June 27, 1865 [sic–1895], stealing, 6 months; hard labor.
His Honor remanded prisoner for sentence until Saturday morning.
…
Saturday, January 16, 1897.
SENTENCES.
…
Harold Collins, convicted of an attempt to commit an unnatural offence, was the last presented. In reply to his Honor he said his reason for not giving evidence on oath the previous day was that he knew there were four previous convictions against him.
His Honor said he did not wish to make any long address. The sentence of the court was five year penal servitude.
Before the Court was adjourned his Honor wished to take the opportunity of expressing his gratitude to the officers of the court, more especially to one who officiated for the first time, and discharged his duties with great credit.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
The Burrowa News, Fri 22 Jan 1897 4
YOUNG QUARTER SESSIONS.
————
THE Young Quarter Sessions were opened on Thursday, before Acting Judge Merewether. Mr Harris was Crown Prosecutor.
…
Harold Collins for attempting to commit a serious offence was sentenced to five years’ penal servitude.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Harold Collins, Gaol photo sheet 5
![SRNSW: NRS2232, [3/5972], Goulburn Gaol photographic description book, 17 Dec 1896-28 Jun 1899, No. 1139, p. 29, R5120. Emphasis added.](../../images/trials/1897-Collins-5972-gaol-photo-1139.jpg "SRNSW: NRS2232, [3/5972], Goulburn Gaol photographic description book, 17 Dec 1896-28 Jun 1899, No. 1139, p. 29, R5120. Emphasis added.") |
Gaol Photo Sheet - Transcribed Details
No. 1139
Goulburn
Date when Portrait was taken: 18 March 1897
Name: Harold Collins
(aka Roger McCormack, Joseph McCormack, Patrick Connors)
|
Native place: Forbes Year of birth: 1870 Arrived Ship: Trade or occupation Religion: Roman Catholic Education, degree of: R&W Height: 5' 6¼" Weight On committal: 147 Colour of hair: Light brown to red Colour of eyes: Blue |
|
|
(No. of previous Portrait .. 5535 Sydney) CONVICTIONS |
|||||
| Where and When | Offence. | Sentence | |||
|
Goulburn CC Court Martial, Victoria Barracks Central PO Dubbo PO Sydney Q.S Paddington PO Young Q.S |
7 23
7 10 27 15 |
10 1
9 2 6 1 |
1880 1885
1892 1893 1895 1897 |
Forgery and Uttering Absent without leave, Drunk, Expose person Stealing Break, enter and steal Stealing Attempt to commit Sodomy |
2 years H.L.
3 months H.L. 3 months H.L. 2½ years H.L. 6 months H.L. 5 years PS |
1 The Burrangong Chronicle and Young and Lachlan District Advertiser, Sat 16 Jan 1897, p. 2.
2 Evening News, (Sydney, NSW), Sat 16 Jan 1897, p. 3.
3 The Burrangong Chronicle and Young and Lachlan District Advertiser, Wed 20 Jan 1897, p. 2. Emphasis added.
4 The Burrowa News, (NSW), Fri 22 Jan 1897, p. 2.
5 SRNSW: NRS2232, [3/5972], Goulburn Gaol photographic description book, 17 Dec 1896-28 Jun 1899, No. 1139, p. 29, R5120. Emphasis added.