Below also see: Harry Hedges, 1923,
Harry Hedges, 1930 – Indecent Assault,
Harry Hedges, 1936 – Indecent Assault,
Evening News, Mon 19 Nov 1906 1
CAUGHT IN THE SHOP.
————
ROBBERY AT MANLY.
————
Before Mr King DSM, at the Water Police Court this afternoon, Henry Hedges, 25, blacksmith, was charged with breaking and entering the grocer’s shop of Albert Laport, at Corso, Manly, and stealing one shilling and a penny, silver watch, and a bottle of wine, valued at £1 2s 1d, on November 7.
Constable Jones stated that from something he heard he visited Mr Laport’s who said, “Here you are, Jones; this is the man who has been robbing me. He was caught in the shop this morning.”
“Let me go, and I will not do it again” pleaded Hedges.
“No; this has been going on for some time; you will have to go through it,” said Laport.
“I broke into the shop, but did not take any groceries—only eleven pence,” said accused.
Entrance to the shop was gained by removing a sheet of galvanised iron. The wine was found at accused’s residence.
“When did you start breaking into the shop?” asked the constable.
“I don’t remember when I first started doing this, and I don’t remember how many times I have broken in.”
“What did you do with the groceries?”
“I used them. I stole Mr Laport’s watch,” volunteered Hedges. “I shoved it down behind the press in the police station while you were sitting at the desk.
Mr Laport said he and Senior-sergeant Miller were secreted in the shop from midnight till morning for the purpose of trying to detect the person who was continually breaking into his shop.
After further evidence Hedges was committed for trial.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
The Sydney Morning Herald, Tue 11 Dec 1906 2
LAW NOTICES.
———
Tuesday, December 11.
———
…
SYDNEY QUARTER SESSIONS.
May Tangye and Nellie Porterfield, stealing; Henry Hedges, house-breaking.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
The Sydney Morning Herald, Wed 12 Dec 1906 3
QUARTER SESSIONS.
(Before Judge Murray.)
Mr Herbert Harris prosecuted for the Crown.
…
BREAKING, ENTERING, AND STEALING.
Henry Hedges, a young man, pleaded guilty to three charges of breaking, entering, and stealing, and was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Henry Hedges, Gaol photo sheet 4
![SRNSW: NRS2138, [3/6071], Darlinghurst Gaol photographic description book, 1905-1907, No. 10242, p. 334, R5111.](../../images/trials/1906-Hedges-6071-gaol-photo-10242.jpg "SRNSW: NRS2138, [3/6071], Darlinghurst Gaol photographic description book, 1905-1907, No. 10242, p. 334, R5111.") |
Gaol Photo Sheet - Transcribed Details
No. 10242
EB 06-5433
Date when Portrait was taken: 11-12-1906
Name: Henry Hedges
|
Native place: Queensland Year of birth: 3 April 1883 Arrived Ship: Trade or occupation Religion: RC Education, degree of: R & W Height: 5' 4½" Weight On committal: 124 Colour of hair: Brown Colour of eyes: Blue |
Marks or special features: Minus all teeth but one from upper jaw, and six teeth from – lower jaw. Several boil marks outside left forearm. Scars on outside right forearm. Scar on bridge of nose. Boil scar on back of neck. |
|
(No. of previous Portrait ... ) CONVICTIONS |
|||||
| Where and When | Offence. | Sentence | |||
|
Sydney Q.S |
11 |
12 |
1906 |
Break and enter a shop and |
6 months HL on each charge. |
Harry Hedges, 1923
Sunday Times, Sun 25 Mar 1923 5
FEET CUT OFF
———◦———
MAN JUMPS FROM RACE
TRAIN AT BURWOOD
————
Harry Hedges, aged about 25 [sic], had both feet cut off by a train at Burwood yesterday afternoon.
He was on a special race train returning from Rosehill, and as it passed through the station it slowed down. Hedges jumped off, but slipped and fell between the platform and the train. The wheels of several carriages went over his feet. He was found by a civilian some time after the train had passed, and was taken to the Western Suburbs Hospital by the local ambulance.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Southern Morning Herald, Mon 26 Mar 1923 6
UNDER TRAIN
————
FEET CUT OFF
————
FELL BETWEEN CARRIAGE
AND PLATFORM
————
Sydney, Sunday.
A man named Harry Hedge [sic] (32) [sic] fell under a train at Burwood station yesterday afternoon, and had both his feet cut off at the hospital.
Hedge was returning from the races at Rosehill, and when near Burwood the speed of the train slackened considerable, and Hedge attempted to alight.
He fell between the carriages and the platform, and the train passed over both feet. The train continued on its way, and Hedge was subsequently noticed by a civilian lying on the line. He was later admitted to Western Suburbs Hospital in a serious condition.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
The Sydney Morning Herald, Mon 26 Mar 1923 7
RAILWAY ACCIDENT.
———◦———
In attempting to board a city-bound train while it was moving out from the Burwood railway station late on Saturday afternoon, Henry Hedge, [sic] 32 [sic], fell from the platform of the rear carriage. With great presence of mind a passenger on the train seized his coat as he was falling and succeded [sic] in holding Hedge clear of the rails until the train had passed the station. At that point he was forced to relinquish his hold, thinking, however, that Hedge would fall without serious injury on to the railway embankment. Unfortunately Hedge struck a signal box and abounded towards the train, and the last set of wheels passed over his legs, both of which were amputated. He was taken to the Western Suburbs Hospital.
Harry Hedges, 1930
Evening News, Thu 27 Feb 1930 8
LEGLESS MAN
————
YEAR FOR INDECENCY
————
REMARKING that it was a painful thing to have to do, Judge White, at Sydney Sessions to-day, sentenced Harry Hedges, 46, pensioner, to twelve months’ hard labor. Hedges appeared in court in an invalid chair, having lost his legs in a railway accident some years ago. He had two wooden legs.
He was convicted of having indecently assaulted a boy, and according to Constable Nye, the police had received several other similar complaints. He stated that Hedges was a married man living apart from his wife.
Hedges’ counsel asked for leniency in view of accused’s crippled condition, and said the loss of his legs seemed to have made him abnormal.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
The Sydney Morning Herald, Thu 27 Feb 1930 9
LAW NOTICES.
———
Thursday, February 27.
———
…
QUARTER SESSIONS.
No. 1 Court.—Wallace Bruce Stewart, assault occasioning actual bodily harm; Florence Evelyn Tiernan, false pretences; Frederick Gladstone Lockyer, receiving; Roy Michael, false pretences; Stanley George Rasmussen, stealing (for plea only).
No. 2 Court.—Wilfred Jaye, break, enter, and steal; Harry Hedges, indecent assault; Robert Beattie Martin, false pretences; Charles Henry Searle, break, enter, and steal; William La Rue and Herbert Wilson, break, enter, and steal; William John Murphy, assault a girl under the age of 16 years and commit an act of indecency.
…
VAGRANCY CHARGE.
———◦———
COMMUNIST ON COALFIELDS
———
PROSECUTION FAILS.
———
Newcastle, Wednesday.
Edward Wallace Paton, a Sydney Communist, appeared before Mr DW Reed, PM, at Kurri Kurri Police court to-day on a charge of vagrancy at Cessnock on February 16.
Inspector Mackay said that he saw defendant addressing a meeting at the corner of Hall and Vincent streets, Cessnock. Defendant was arrested later, and witness said to him: “I have known you since April, 1929, and I have never known you to do any work. When did you last work?” Defendant replied: “I have not worked for 18 months.” “What are you doing here?” witness asked. Defendant said: “I am an organiser for the Communist party.”
Witness went on to say that he told defendant that he was informed that defendant came to the coalfields to organise a “basher gang” to deal with miners working at unassociated pits. He warned him to leave the coalfields, or prove to a magistrate that he earned an honest living. The defendant replied: “If you say I have to leave the coalfields I will do so. You know I belong to the Communist party, and you know I have to do what I am told.” witness said that defendant begged food and money wherever he went.
Plainclothes Constable Latrobe said that he arrested defendant at Kurri Kurri on February 20 on a charge of vagrancy. Defendant said: “I have been staying with Mr Ross, in Maitland-street, Stanford Merthyr. I am an organiser of the Communist party, and I am paid £5 a week.” Defendant also told witness that he was paid by J Moxon, general secretary of the Communist party, of which there were 800 members. He had never known defendant to work. Defendant associated with convicted criminals and vagrants.
Plainclothes Constable Barber stated that he had never known defendant to do any work. He associated with people who had no regard for law and order.
Sergeant Lindrum gave similar evidence, and also gave evidence as to defendant having taken an active part in the timber workers’ strike.
Defendant gave evidence that he was paid £5 a week as an organiser of the Communist party. At present he lived with Mr Ross at Stanford Merthyr, and paid 32/6 a week board. Constable Latrobe arrested him about three minutes after he had laid information against Inspector Mackay and Sergeant Lindrum.
Inspector Mackay: Have you furnished an income tax return the past 12 months? Defendant refused to answer.
Where does the Communist party get its money?—I don’t know where they get all the funds, some from members in employment, and donations are also received.
Duncan Ross stated that defendant resided with him at Stanford Merthyr, and paid 32/6 a week for his board. Witness admitted that he was only 20 years of age, and was a Communist.
The magistrate said that defendant had given a satisfactory account of his means of support, and dismissed the information. Defendant was discharged.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
The Sydney Morning Herald, Fri 28 Feb 1930 10
QUARTER SESSIONS.
No. 1 COURT.
(Before Judge Armstrong.)
Crown Prosecutor, Mr VH Treatt.
…
No. 2 COURT.
(Before Judge White.)
Senior Crown Prosecutor, Mr McKean, KC.
INDECENT ASSAULT.
Harry Hedges , 46, a pensioner, was charged with having committed an indecent assault upon, [Stanley William Mills ], a boy nine years of age at Sydney on January 20. Mr CR Penny appeared for the accused.
The accused, both of whose legs had been cut off in a railway accident, was convicted. The police reported that the pensioner was a married man living apart from his wife. He had a residential at Surry Hills, and other complaints regarding children had been made against him.
The prisoner was sentenced to 12 months’ hard labour in Maitland Gaol.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Harry Hedges, Gaol photo sheet 11
![SRNSW: NRS– [17/1495], State Penitentiary photographic description book, 3 Dec 1929-20 Mar 1930, No. 24510, p. –.](../../images/trials/1906-Hedges-1495-gaol-photo-24510.jpg "SRNSW: NRS– [17/1495], State Penitentiary photographic description book, 3 Dec 1929-20 Mar 1930, No. 24510, p. –.") |
Gaol Photo Sheet - Transcribed Details
|
No. 24510 Date when Portrait was taken: 28-2-1930 |
Finger Print |
||||||||
|
Native Place Queensland Year of Birth 3-4-1883 Arrived in State Ship Trade or occupation Religion R. C. Education, degree of R & W Height, without shoes –' –" (minus both legs) Weight in lbs. On committal Colour of hair Brown Colour of eyes Blue Marks or special features Minus left leg from just below knee & minus right leg from thigh. Several boil scars outside left forearm. Scars on outside right forearm. Scar on bridge of nose boil scar on back of neck |
|
||||||||
|
CONVICTIONS St 7574 97939 |
|||||||||
|
Court. |
Date |
Offence. |
Sentence |
Name. |
Gaol No. |
||||
|
Sydney Q.S * Central PC ditto Sydney Q.S |
11 9 18 27 |
6 8 7 2 |
1906 1926 1927 1930 |
Break & enter & steal. (3 counts) Drive a motor car while under the Indecent behaviour. Indecent assault on a male person |
6 months HL on £2 or 14 days HL. 40/- or 14 days. 12 months HL |
|
|
||
|
* The first Sydney Q.S trial date of 11 Jun 1906 is incorrect. Hedges was, in fact, tried on 11 Dec 1906. |
|||||||||
Harry Hedges, 1936
The Sydney Morning Herald, Thu 16 Apr 1936 12
QUARTER SESSIONS.
…
(Before Judge Thompson and jury.)
…
(Before Mr Justice Curlewis and Jury.
…
ASSAULT.
Harry Hedges, 55, hawker, who was found guilty of assault on three boys, [1) Kenneth (or Keith) Charles Victor Trumper; 2) Phillip Michael O’Sullivan; 3) James Phillip Raymond (or Raymond) Foran ], was remanded for medical observation.
Because of his physical disability, caused by the loss of his legs in a railway accident, the jury strongly recommended Hedges to mercy, but when it was stated by the police that Hedges had been convicted of a similar offence the jury withdrew the recommendation.
His Honor said he would remand Hedges for medical observation to see if he was responsible for his actions.
Mr LJ McKean, KC (instructed by Mr LJ Utley) appeared for the Crown; and Mr Walker for the accused.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
The Sydney Morning Herald, Sat 25 Apr 1936 13
QUARTER SESSIONS.
(Before Judge Curlewis.)
…
OFFENCES BY CRIPPLE.
When Harry Hedges, 55, hawker, appeared for sentence on three charges of assault on males, Judge Curlewis said the medical report showed that Hedges, a cripple, was perfectly sane. Sentences of 18 months’ imprisonment were imposed on each charge, the terms to be cumulative. Mr CK Walker (instructed by CR Penny) appeared for Hedges.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
The Sydney Morning Herald, Fri 22 May 1936 14
LAW NOTICES.
————
Friday, May 22.
…
SUPREME COURT.
…
Criminal Appeals:
…
R v Hedges,
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Harry Hedges , Gaol photo sheet 15
![SRNSW: NRS– [17/1517], State Penitentiary photographic description book, 11 Mar 1936-13 Jun 1936, No. 29628, p. –.](../../images/trials/1906-Hedges-1517-gaol-photo-29628.jpg "SRNSW: NRS– [17/1517], State Penitentiary photographic description book, 11 Mar 1936-13 Jun 1936, No. 29628, p. –.") |
Gaol Photo Sheet - Transcribed Details
No. 29628
No. 145/282
Date when Portrait was taken: 16-4-1936
Name: Harry Hedges
(aka Henry Hedges)
|
Native place: Queensland Year of birth: 3-4-1883 Arrived Ship: Trade or occupation Religion: R. C. Education, degree of: R & W. Height: Minus both legs Weight On committal: 112 Colour of hair: Brown. Colour of eyes: Blue. |
Marks or special features: Minus left leg from just below knee and minus right leg from thigh. Several boil scars outside left forearm. Scars on outside right forearm on bridge of nose and on back of neck. |
|
(No. of previous Portrait .. [10242, 24510]) Photo 122/290 CONVICTIONS |
|||||
| Where and When | Offence. | Sentence | |||
|
Sydney Q.S
Court of Criminal |
15 27 22 |
4 4 5 |
1936 1936 1936 |
Indecent assault on a male person Appealed on all counts Dismissed the application for leave to |
13 months H.L. on each charge |
|
And 6 previous convictions. |
|||||
1 Evening News, (Sydney, NSW), Mon 19 Nov 1906, p. 5. Emphasis added.
2 The Sydney Morning Herald, Tue 11 Dec 1906, p. 4. Emphasis added.
3 The Sydney Morning Herald, Wed 12 Dec 1906, p. 6.
4 SRNSW: NRS2138, [3/6071], Darlinghurst Gaol photographic description book, 1905-1907, No. 10242, p. 334, R5111.
5 Sunday Times, (Sydney, NSW), Sun 25 Mar 1923, p. 2.
6 Southern Morning Herald, (Goulburn, NSW), Mon 26 Mar 1923, p. 2.
7 The Sydney Morning Herald, Mon 26 Mar 1923, p. 10.
8 Evening News, (Sydney, NSW), Thu 27 Feb 1930, p. 9.
9 The Sydney Morning Herald, Thu 27 Feb 1930, p. 7. Emphasis added.
10 The Sydney Morning Herald, Fri 28 Feb 1930, p. 7.
11 SRNSW: NRS– [17/1495], State Penitentiary photographic description book, 3 Dec 1929-20 Mar 1930, No. 24510, p. –.
12 The Sydney Morning Herald, Thu 16 Apr 1936, p. 7.
13 The Sydney Morning Herald, Sat 25 Apr 1936, p. 12.
14 The Sydney Morning Herald, Fri 22 May 1936, p. 6.
15 SRNSW: NRS– [17/1517], State Penitentiary photographic description book, 11 Mar 1936-13 Jun 1936, No. 29628, p. –.