Clarence and Richmond Examiner, Sat 20 Jun 1908 1
POLICE COURTS.
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At Maclean, yesterday.
Alexander Black and Frank Vallance were each fined 10s for riotous behaviour.
Thomas Jackson was committed for trial on a charge of committing an unnatural offence.
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The Grafton Argus Clarence and Northern Rivers Advertiser, Thu 13 Aug 1908 2
GRAFTON QUARTER SESSIONS.
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The Court of Quarter Sessions was opened before his Honor Acting Judge Hamilton at the Court House, Grafton, yesterday morning. Mr RJ Browning acted as Crown Prosecutor, and Messrs Russell and J Young, barristers, of Sydney, were also in attendance, together with the local members of the legal profession.
Prior to the commencement of business, his Honor expressed regret at the inconvenience to which jurymen summoned and the public generally had been subjected to by reason of his delayed arrival.
Mr Browning, in reply, stated that general sympathy had been expressed on all sides with his Honor in his most trying experience.
BEASTIALITY. [sic]
Thomas Jackson, charged with beastiality at Maclean on June 18th, pleaded not guilty and was undefended.
The jurymen empannelled [sic] were:—Messrs AC Clement, M Finlayson, C Sampson, JH Phillips, T Glissan, F Lowe, WP Gerrard, G Haynes, G Parnell, W Eggins, jun, JH Wood, W Yardy, the accused having previously challenged the full number (8) allowed.
The Crown Prosecutor briefly outline the facts of the case, and evidence of an unpublishable nature was given by Constable J[ohn Henry] Silcock and Ernest D Munro, as to accused’s conduct with a cow in a paddock at Maclean. The constable, in answer to a question asked by one of the jurors, stated that he had known accused for five years in Maclean, and that he was of weak intellect.
The accused, [Thomas Jackson] who showed evident signs of the weakness referred to, gave evidence on his own behalf, in the course of which he stated that he was drunk on the night in question and did not know what he was doing.
His Honor, in addressing the jury, stated that on the facts there was no doubt but that the offence had been committed, and the only matter for consideration was as to whether the accused was apparently sane or not.
But in connection with this, he had to point out that no evidence had been brought forward as to insanity. Therefore, they must deem him responsible for his actions, and put aside any knowledge they might have of him, if such knowledge existed.
After a retirement of ten minutes, the jury returned to Court with a verdict of guilty, the foreman intimating that the jury wished to add to their verdict a strong recommendation for mercy on account of the evident signs of weak intellect displayed by the prisoner.
His Honor replied that whilst he could not take this into consideration with the duty he had to perform, he could assure them that he would forward the recommendation to the proper quarter, where it would receive the most careful consideration.
The prisoner was then removed, and was later brought again before the Court, when he was sentenced to five years’ hard labor.
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Clarence and Richmond Examiner, Sat 15 Aug 1908 3
GRAFTON QUARTER SESSIONS.
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This Court was opened on Wednesday before his Honor, Mr Acting-Judge Hamilton. Mr RJ Browning acted as Crown Prosecutor. There were also present Mr Young and Mr Russell, barristers, and the local solicitors.
…
BESTIALTY.
Thomas Jackson was charged with having at Maclean, on 18th June, been guilty of bestiality. He was undefended, and pleaded not guilty.
Jury: Albert Clements, Malcolm Finlayson, Chas Sampson, John G Phillips, Thos Glissan, Fredk Lowe, Walter O Gerard, George Haynes, George Parnell, Wm Eggins, jun, Jas H Wood, Wm Yardly.
The evidence in this case is unfit for publication.
The jury found a verdict of guilty, with a recommendation to mercy. Accused was remanded for sentence.
In the evening Jackson, who appears to be a person of weak intellect, was brought up for sentence. He was sentenced to five years penal servitude.
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Thomas Jackson, Gaol photo sheet 4
![SRNSW: NRS2258, [3/5993], Grafton Gaol photographic description book, 1910-1911, No. 165, p. 166, R5125.](../../images/trials/1908-Jackson-5993-gaol-photo-165.jpg "SRNSW: NRS2258, [3/5993], Grafton Gaol photographic description book, 1910-1911, No. 165, p. 166, R5125.") |
Gaol Photo Sheet - Transcribed Details
No. 165
60-08 Grafton
Date when Portrait was taken: 17th August 1908
Name: Thomas Jackson
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Native place: N S Wales Year of birth: 1872 Arrived Ship: Trade or occupation Religion: Presbyterian Education, degree of: Nil Height: 5' 6" Weight On committal: 132 Colour of hair: Brown Colour of eyes: Blue |
Marks or special features: Scar on left thumb. Right wrist has been broken. Scar at back of head. Scar on right thigh. |
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(No. of previous Portrait ... ) CONVICTIONS |
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| Where and When | Offence. | Sentence | |||
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Lismore Maclean PC ditto ditto Grafton Q.S * |
3 14 30 30 12 |
1 11 11 6 8 |
1895 1903 1903 1905 1905 |
Vagrancy Malicious injury to property to Insufficient lawful means of support Vagrancy Bestiality |
21 days HL Fine & Costs 16/8 2 months HL 2 months HL 5 years P.S. |
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* The correct trial date is 12 Aug 1908 and not 1905 |
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1 Clarence and Richmond Examiner, Sat 20 Jun 1908, p. 4. Emphasis added.
2 The Grafton Argus Clarence and Northern Rivers Advertiser, Thu 13 Aug 1908, p. 8. Emphasis added.
3 Clarence and Richmond Examiner, Sat 15 Aug 1908, p. 2.
4 SRNSW: NRS2258, [3/5993], Grafton Gaol photographic description book, 1910-1911, No. 165, p. 166, R5125.