The National Advocate, Thu 11 Apr 1907 ¹

DUBBO CIRCUIT COURT.
————

Dubbo, Wednesday.

    The Circuit Court opened to-day before his Honor Chief Justice Darley.
    Mr James prosecuted for the Crown.
    Alexander Riley, a lad of 16 years, pleaded guilty to an unnatural offence.
…
    All prisoners were remanded for sentence.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Wellington Times, Thu 11 Apr 1907 ²

DUBBO CIRCUIT COURT.
————

    The Circuit Court opened at Dubbo yesterday before his Honor Chief Justice Darley. Alexander Riley, a lad of 16 years, pleaded guilty to an unnatural offence.
…
    All prisoners were remanded for sentence.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Dubbo Dispatch and Wellington Independent, Sat 13 Apr 1907 ³

CIRCUIT COURT.
———
Before his Honor the Chief Justice (Sir Frederick Darley).
———

THE sittings of the Circuit Court were opened on Wednesday morning before his Honor the Chief Justice. Mr AG James acted as Crown Prosecutor, assisted by Mr D’arcy Irvine of the Crown Law Office, and Mr HS Darley as Judge’s Associate. Mr GH Taylor, JP, Deputy Sheriff, had a seat on the Bench.

    Mr AHD Crammond was excused from attendance on the grounds of illness. Mr F Weston and Mr B Furney were also excused from attendance.

UNNATURAL OFFENCE.

    A lad named Alexander Riley, aged about 18, was arraigned on a charge of an unnatural offence on an animal, [with a pony mare], and pleaded guilty he was remanded for sentence.
…

———

    Alexander Riley, who had pleaded guilty to a charge of an offence on an animal, in reply to the usual question had nothing to say.

    His Honor said he must award the minimum sentence—viz, five years’ penal servitude; and passed sentence accordingly.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Dubbo Liberal and Macquarie Advocate, Sat 13 Apr 1907 ⁴

DUBBO CIRCUIT COURT.
———•———
A LONG LIST OF CASES.
————
Wednesday, April 10.

    Before His Honor the Chief Justice (Sir Frederick Darley); Associate, Mr H Darley; Deputy Sheriff, Mr GH Taylor.
    Crown Prosecutor, Mr GAT James, instructed by Mr D’arcy Irvine, Crown Law Department.
    The legal gentlemen attending the court were, in addition to the Crown Prosecutor, Mr Manning, Mr DL Gaden, and the local solicitors.
    Mr Fred Weston, secretary of the Dubbo PA and H Association, was excused from service as a juror on account of his duties in connection with the show being very heavy.
    B Furney, Junr, was also excused.

UNNATURAL OFFENCE.

    Ellis John Ryrie [aka Alexander Riley], a lad, pleaded guilty to the above charge, and was remanded for sentence.
…

Friday, April 12.

SENTENCES.

    His Honor on the court being opened, proceeded to pass sentences on several persons who had been convicted on the previous days.
…
    Alexander Ryrie, unnatural offence, was next presented for sentence. His Honor remarked that it was a horrible thing to see a boy of the prisoner’s age charged with such a serious charge, the maximum penalty of which was imprisonment for life. In consideration of his youth the prisoner would be sentenced to the minimum penalty, five years’ penal servitude.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Sydney Morning Herald, Mon 15 Apr 1907 ⁵

COUNTRY NEWS.
———◦———

…

DUBBO CIRCUIT COURT.
———

Dubbo, Saturday.

    At the Circuit Court yesterday James Hamilton, 66, was sentenced to five years’ penal servitude for false pretences, and declared to be an habitual offender. Alexander Riley, for a serious offence, was sentenced to five years’ imprisonment. Frank Hartley Delaney, for embezzlement as a Public servant, was sentenced to two years. The money had been repaid, and the sentence was suspended under the First Offenders’ Act. The sentence imposed on James Higgins for fraudulent misappropriation of £59 3s 3d, was ordered to be suspended under the First Offenders’ Act , on prisoner making restitution of the amount, which he promised to do. Arthur Beard, for perjury, was sentenced to five years’ penal servitude at Goulburn. Olive White, for concealment of birth, was sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment, and the sentence was suspended under the First Offenders’ Act. James Baird, aboriginal, for assault with intent, was sentenced to 18 months’ hard labour. James Henderson, who pleaded guilty to attempting a capital offence at Geurie, was remanded for sentence.

    James Copeland pleaded not guilty to wounding Alvina Hitchen, with intent to murder. Mrs Hitchen, whose husband is a butcher at Gilgandra, deposed that she gave accused, who is her cousin, notice to leave the farm, where he had been employed. He subsequently came to the shop and said he would be even with her. She rode out to the farm on February 27, two miles from Gilgandra. When she got to the hut, where Copeland lived, accused came out with a double-barrelled gun and fired. She was struck on the right arm, and fell of the horse. The defence was that the shooting was accidental. The jury were locked up last night, and failed to agree. Prisoner was remanded.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Alexander Riley, Gaol photo sheet ⁶

---

Gaol Photo Sheet - Transcribed Details

No. 152
Grafton

Date when Portrait was taken: 20-5-1907

Name: Alexander Riley

Native place: Taree NSW Year of birth: 1889 Arrived       Ship: – in Colony }   Year: Trade or occupation previous to conviction  } Laborer Religion: C of E Education, degree of: R & W Height: 5' 1¼" Weight     On committal: 122 in lbs     } On discharge: Colour of hair: Light brown Colour of eyes: Grey

Marks or special features: Both legs broken at ankle - causing slight halt when walking. Scar on right side of head

(No. of previous Portrait ... )  CONVICTIONS
Where and When				Offence.	Sentence
Taree PC Dubbo CC	13 10	5 4	1901 1907	Larceny Bestiality	Sent to Sobraon 5 years PS

 

---

¹     The National Advocate, Thu 11 Apr 1907, p. 2.

²     The Wellington Times, Thu 11 Apr 1907, p. 4.

³     Dubbo Dispatch and Wellington Independent, Sat 13 Apr 1907, pp. 3, 4.

⁴     The Dubbo Liberal and Macquarie Advocate, Sat 13 Apr 1907, p. 4.

⁵     The Sydney Morning Herald, Mon 15 Apr 1907, p. 8. Emphasis added.

⁶     SRNSW: NRS2258, [3/5993], Grafton Gaol photographic description book, Nov 1894- Jun 1910, No. 152, p. 154, R5125.

---